System and method to facilitate user thinking about an arbitrary problem with output and interface to external components and resources

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods to facilitate user thinking about an arbitrary problem. The systems and methods include an output and interface to external components and resources. A system for facilitating construction of a model representing user understanding about an arbitrary problem is provided. The model has a combination of thinking components and knowledge components. The system includes first logic to facilitate user specification of at least one thinking structure, and second logic to facilitate user specification of at least one knowledge structure. Third logic facilitates linkages among thinking and knowledge structures, and model logic tracks user interaction with the first through third logic to construct a user model structure of user development and population of the user model structure, the thinking structures and the knowledge structures. Interface logic provides content to or from the user model structure or the archetype model structure. The interface logic may work with external components or resources.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/578,102 filed on Jun. 8, 2004,entitled Output and Interface Related Capabilities for a System andMethod to Facilitate User Thinking About an Arbitrary Problem;60/578,081 filed on Jun. 8, 2004, entitled System and Method toCustomize the Facilitation of Development of User Thinking About anArbitrary Problem; and 60/578,083 filed on Jun. 8, 2004, entitledFacilitating Development of User Thinking Using Three andMultidimensional knowledge Constructs and Archetypes, which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority under35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/705,651 filed onNov. 10, 2003 entitled, System and Method of Facilitating and EvaluatingUser Thinking About an Arbitrary Problem Using an Archetype ProblemStructure, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/147,874 filed on an even date herewith entitled System and Method toCustomize the Facilitation of Development of User Thinking About andDocumenting of an Arbitrary Problem, which is incorporated by referencein its entirety. This application is related to U.S. application Ser.No. 10/513,900.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to systems and methods of facilitating andevaluating user thinking about an arbitrary problem.

BACKGROUND

It is widely recognized that good problem solving and thinking skillsneed to be encouraged and supported. The increased capacity of computersand availability of electronic information bring an opportunity tosupport this need. There is today no approach that guides and supportscreative problem solving and thinking as an integral part of the workprocess in conducting an information intensive inquiry based or otherproject, including the evolution of the person's understanding of theproblem, exercising of logic and judgment, development of knowledge andideas, and the mastery of a comprehensive answer.

Today, the development of problem solving and thinking and relatedtopics occurs as a result of many disparate activities. Most of theseskills are taught separately and independently, or in a case by casebasis, and are unpredictable in their results. Whether an individual ora team becomes and “end to end” problem solver—capable of defining aproblem, finding and researching information, developing their ownunderstanding, defining alternatives and an answer supported by theirwork, and communicating their views effectively—is uncertain.

Computer and information technology support of problem solving andthinking is fractured and focuses primarily on information handlingactivities, or is isolated and non robust “thinking skills” support.Separate and independent software programs support search and retrieval,information manipulation and management, information presentation andcommunication, and others. While this may be comfortable for manyadults, little computer support exists for “thinking” and analysis logicparticularly for the more qualitative topics that predominate. There areno software enabled processes that help guide good thinking and addressthe complexity of today's problems, and that do so in a way thatinterfaces effectively with the information environment in which a useror group of users work.

Systems have been proposed to facilitate user thinking. SeePCT/US03/35716.

There is a need for a software tool that enables and supports acomprehensive problem solving and thinking process, especially ininformation intensive situations. Many users of such a tool would wantto do so effectively in the context of their larger informationprocessing environments. This is especially desirable where the state ofthe art enables significant file transfer and other electroniccommunication between the tool that supports and enables thinking andproblem solving and other electronically based systems, tools andresources, through commonly accepted approaches and standards.

SUMMARY

The invention provides systems and methods to facilitate user thinkingabout an arbitrary problem. The systems and methods include an outputand interface to external components and resources.

According to one aspect of the invention, a system for facilitatingconstruction of a model representing user understanding about anarbitrary problem is provided. The model has a combination of thinkingcomponents and knowledge components. The system includes first logic tofacilitate user specification of at least one thinking structure, andsecond logic to facilitate user specification of at least one knowledgestructure. Third logic facilitates linkages among thinking and knowledgestructures, and model logic tracks user interaction with the firstthrough third logic to construct a user model structure of userdevelopment and population of the user model structure, the thinkingstructures and the knowledge structures. Interface logic providescontent to or from the user model structure or the archetype modelstructure. The interface logic may work with external components orresources.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a conceptual depiction of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an overview of one embodiment ofgroups of components of the archetype structure.

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of an example development path for anintegrated thinking and knowledge construct.

FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram of an example alternative developmentpath for an integrated thinking and knowledge construct.

FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram of another example alternativedevelopment path for an integrated thinking and knowledge construct.

FIG. 1E is a schematic diagram of example alternative viewpoints thatmay be provided to the user by representations.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one example computing implementationenvironment for one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example architecture for oneembodiment.

FIG. 3A is a flowchart showing the general interaction of thearchitecture modules of one embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a flowchart further related to the transactions and functionsassociated with one embodiment of process manager suggestor.

FIGS. 3B-10 is an additional flowchart further related to thetransactions and functions associated with one embodiment of processmanager suggestor.

FIG. 3C is a flowchart of transactions related to the general functionsof the example software module view and representation manager.

FIGS. 3C-10 is a flowchart providing further detail regarding oneembodiment of the example view and representation manager module.

FIGS. 3C-20 is a flowchart providing further detail regardingoptimization by one embodiment of the view and representation manager.

FIG. 4A is an example structure for a topic set as a thinking structureof an integrated construct of one embodiment.

FIGS. 4A-10 is an example of one embodiment of a topic set, specificallya topic set created for a history assignment in an educational setting.

FIG. 4B is an example of the addition of information constructs to anintegrated construct of one embodiment, in the case in which a topic sethas been previously defined.

FIG. 4C is an example of the addition of an analysis construct to anintegrated construct of one embodiment, in the case in which a topic setand certain information constructs have been previously defined.

FIG. 4D is an example of the addition of a meaning statement to anintegrated construct of one embodiment, in the case in which a topicset, certain information constructs, and an analysis construct have beenpreviously defined.

FIG. 4E is an example of linkages between components of an integratedconstruct of one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of the method and processprovided through the archetype process.

FIG. 5A is a flow chart showing additional detail regarding defining theproject initiation, goal and problem definition.

FIG. 5B is a flow chart showing additional detail regarding oneembodiment of the question and topic assistance tool.

FIGS. 5B-10 is an example embodiment of the categories of model topicsor questions of one embodiment of the topic assistance tool.

FIGS. 5B-20 is an example embodiment of the subcategories of modeltopics or questions of one embodiment of the topic assistance tool.

FIGS. 5B-30 is an example embodiment of model subtopics topics of oneembodiment.

FIGS. 5B-40 is an example embodiment of model secondary subtopics of oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5C is a flowchart of transactions related to one embodiment ofcreating a new information construct.

FIG. 5D is a flowchart of transactions related to one embodiment offormatting or modifying an information construct.

FIGS. 5D-10 is an example of an unformatted entry approach for theinformation construct of one embodiment.

FIGS. 5D-20 is an example of formatted entry approach for theinformation construct of one embodiment.

FIG. 5E is a flow chart of transactions related to one embodiment ofacquiring information through an Internet browser or other electronicsource.

FIG. 5F is a flowchart of transactions related to one embodiment ofcreating a new analysis construct.

FIG. 5G is a flowchart of transactions related to one embodiment offormatting an analysis construct.

FIG. 5H is a flowchart of transactions related to one embodiment ofadding elements to an analysis construct.

FIGS. 5H-10 is an example of relationships between an analysis constructand information constructs of one embodiment.

FIGS. 5H-20 is an example of a partially completed analysis constructwork space of one embodiment.

FIGS. 5H-30 is another example of a completed analysis construct.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an example of one embodiment of regionsthat may be used in representing an integrated thinking and knowledgeconstruct and the associated method and process.

FIG. 6A is a schematic view of example types of views or representationsthat may be provided by one embodiment of the present invention, beingshown as regions and slices as well as the overall and individualcomponent views.

FIG. 6B is a schematic depiction of one example embodiment of regions asrepresentational areas in one 3-D embodiment.

FIG. 6C is another schematic depiction of one example embodiment ofregions as representational areas in one 3-D embodiment.

FIG. 6D is schematic depiction of one example embodiment of “slices” asa means of providing representations in one 3-D embodiment.

FIG. 6E shows a schematic depiction of the use of next visible views andimplied next visible views in a 3-D embodiment.

FIGS. 6I to 6V are alternative example shapes which may be used torepresent the integrated construct of the present invention as a threedimensional object.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the views provided by one embodiment of thepresent invention and example navigational paths between these views.

FIG. 7A is an example of one embodiment of a representation focused on asubtopic in one 3 dimensional representation form.

FIG. 7B is a schematic illustrating an example of a 2 dimensionalembodiment of regions and subset or slice views.

FIG. 7C is an example of one representation in a 2 dimensionalembodiment, focused on an individual subtopic view.

FIG. 7D is an example of one representation of an embodiment of alinkage view, specifically focused on a person information construct.

FIG. 7E is an example of a navigator device used in one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a representative architecture showing one embodiment ofinterface and output management modules in relation to the ITKC systemand method.

FIG. 9 is one embodiment of a technical architecture to support theinterfaces and output management modules in relation to the ITKC systemand method.

FIG. 10 is a representation of one embodiment of processing flow andrelationships for an interface module for electronic information sourcesand search engines in relation to the ITKC system and method.

FIG. 10A is a continuation of a representation of one embodiment ofprocessing flow and relationships for an interface module for electronicinformation sources and search engines in relation to the ITKC systemand method.

FIG. 11 is a representation of one embodiment of processing flow andrelationships for an interface module for output management relative tothe ITKC system and method.

FIG. 12 is a continuation of a representation of one embodiment ofprocessing flow and relationships for a module for a part of outputmanagement relative to the ITKC system and method.

FIG. 12A is a further continuation of a representation of one embodimentof processing flow and relationships for part of an output managementmodule relative to the ITKC system and method.

FIG. 13 is a representative processing flow for one embodiment of inputprocessing for a File I/O interface module relative to the ITKC systemand method.

FIG. 14 depicts a certain module of a certain embodiment of systemarchitecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The system provides a software tool to evaluate, facilitate and conveyuser thinking about an arbitrary problem. In preferred embodiments, thetool begins with a base-line structure in which to address an arbitraryproblem. At its simplest, this structure includes the idea of specifyingand inter-relating the problem or topic to be addressed, specifying aproposed conclusion to the problem, and specifying knowledge. The toolprovides various user mechanisms for the user to develop their thinking.The tool provides the ability to populate various structures withvarious specifications of topics, conclusions, and knowledge, and theirinterrelationships. More significantly, the tool provides intelligenceto the process and the structure of the user's work. The tool monitorsand tracks the interactions of the user to determine whether the user'sapproach or process toward addressing the problem might benefit withcertain specific suggestions to aid the user's development or thinking.In addition, the tool monitors the structure of the user's thinking todetermine whether the user's problem definition, knowledge, and proposedconclusion and underlying thinking is well-founded in a structural andin some cases, logical sense. To do the former, the tool tracks thespecific interactions of the user to monitor things like interactionsspent specifying details and collecting data vs. developing conclusions.To do the latter, the tool analyzes the structure of the user'spresently proposed conclusion, for example, analyzing whether it issupported by knowledge. In preferred embodiments, the former and latterare implemented with rules-based inference engines to make suggestedactions for the user, in a variety of ways.

The tool provides an ability to encapsulate or contain the state ofthinking and development in an entity called an ITKC. This entityintegrates the topic, conclusion and knowledge, and the tool conveysthis integrated state preferably using a visual, physical metaphor suchas a three-dimensional object, although two dimensional embodiments mayalso be used. The tool inherently contains an exemplary ITKC, and insome sense this is a core, exemplary or archetype structure for anarbitrary problem. The tool uses the archetype problem solutionstructure and the archetype or preferred process as the basis forproviding guidance to the user in their development of their thinking,and in response their actions. Initially, the user is provided with astarting point for their project that in a preferred embodiment isundeveloped other than to model that an exemplary structure includes atleast a topic, conclusion, and knowledge area. A more specific startingpoint for user development may be provided, for example, a super-user,teacher or other source may provide more specific structure to theproblem and perhaps some initial content or the like to provide a morespecific ITKC starting point. The user then may further develop thisprovided initial ITKC in the process of their thinking evolution. Asthey add structures, content and relationships to their thinking, theirpersonal ITKC will correspondingly modify.

The tools to track user interactions and make suggestions combine withthe interrelated visual feedback views to in effect guide the user in anarchetype process for developing their thinking about an arbitraryproblem. By this it is meant, a model or exemplary process or way toapproach the problem procedurally. Since the user will develop theirITKC, the applicable archetype problem solution structure and applicableportions of the exemplary process will change in relation to the presentITKC (i.e., model or exemplary structure will depend on the user'scurrent ITKC to which it is compared). Thus, the applicable archetypestructure and exemplary process are in some sense dynamic. In addition,the archetype process is state dependent, meaning the processsuggestions made and monitored will depend on the state of the user'sactual processing and interactions.

The tool thus facilitates an exemplary process for accomplishing soundthinking and knowledge development about arbitrary problems and providesthe user with the ability to develop their own thinking and knowledgeabout the problem through the development an ITKC or integrated thinkingand knowledge construct. The archetype process and structure facilitatethe user from conception of the problem (or question, issue, subject,topic, or area of interest) through the creation and viewing of asummary understanding, answer or other result. For purposes of thisapplication, the terms ITKC, “integrated thinking and knowledgeconstruct,” “thinking and knowledge construct,” “integrated knowledgeand thinking construct,” “knowledge and thinking construct” and“integrated construct” are used interchangeably.

Referring now to the Figures, in FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, thetool provides (i) an archetype structure (block 1500) which providescomponents and options for creating, structuring, developing, andrelating the set of components a user may employ in developing theirthinking and knowledge about an arbitrary problem; (ii) the userdeveloped model or ITKC, indicated in block 1000, which is comprised ofuser selected and developed thinking and knowledge structures andencapsulates the relationships and process history conducted by theuser; (iii) an archetype process, as indicated in block 2000, forthinking about and solving arbitrary problems, which enables and helpsguide the user in their work; (iv) tracking, evaluating, and inferencemodules which monitor and evaluate the user's actions against archetypeor exemplary structure and process rules, and make suggestions to theuser accordingly; and (v) an ongoing representation of the user'sdeveloped model or ITKC, as indicated in block 100, against variousviews that convey archetype structure and process, as well as potentialnatural next thinking and working steps, and therefore provide ongoingcoaching to the user through visual feedback.

The user developed model is referred to herein as an ITKC or IntegratedThinking and Knowledge Construct. It should be understood that the useof the word construct is employed to convey both (i) a component that isconstructed and evident to the user; and (ii) the underlying datastorage and retrieval requirements for achieving the described componentor components and parts (see additional description below regardingoptions which may be employed in the data structure and implementationapproach). In a preferred embodiment, the user developed model cansubsequently be tracked and evaluated against archetype structuralexpectations by the tool, including but not limited to items such as thetypes of components selected, the prevalence of components selected, thecompleteness of components used at various stages in the development ofthe ITKC (in terms of content, structure, and linkages) and others. Theuser process can similarly be tracked and evaluated against thearchetype process rules, including but not limited to items such as whatportions of process the user elects to try or use, the user's responsehistory to suggestions made by the system, and the user's selection anduse of various views which constitute thinking subsets. As describedelsewhere herein, in a preferred embodiment, such tracking is used fordirect feedback to the user, the generation of suggestions, and variousreporting and tracking activities for the primary user and potentiallyfor users like teachers.

In one preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the archetypestructure for an arbitrary problem 10 may include a thinking construct20 and a knowledge construct 40 which may each include a plurality ofcomponents. The groups of components of the thinking construct 20preferably include a number of thinking structures which in a preferredembodiment may include: (i) a topic set 22 for defining and maintainingthe definition of the subject, topic, questions, problem, issue, area ofinterest or other suitable descriptions of the project, and preferablyincluding both a main topic or problem and one or more subtopics; (ii) ameaning statement set 24 for developing and maintaining the user'sperspectives regarding the data and/or analysis including one or morebut not limited to: conclusions, observations, hypotheses, theories,summary statements, perspectives, ideas, or any similar items; and (iii)an answer or summary set 26 for developing and maintaining the highestlevel answer or summary viewpoint of the results attained relating tothe project. In a preferred embodiment, the components of the knowledgeconstruct 40 may generally include: (i) information constructs 42 forcreating, organizing, and maintaining data and information elementsregarding the project, including structured and unstructured formats;(ii) analysis constructs 44 for developing or associating a plurality ofanalyses regarding the project, which may be based on data, informationelements and/or information constructs created with via this inventionor gathered from other electronic sources and associated with theintegrated construct, and for maintaining the analytical components instructured and/or unstructured formats; and (iii) portions of data 46which are not structured according to information constructs or analysisconstructs, but which are associated with the integrated construct. Theintegrated construct further includes the linkages or relationships 60that may exist or be created among and between any of these individualcomponents and groups of components. In certain cases, the preferredembodiment provides one or more links automatically in response to useractions as the user proceeds through the various stages of developmentof the integrated construct. As discussed below, these links help theuser understand and document the relationship between various constructknowledge or thinking components.

For simplicity purposes, this application primarily refers to thebuilding, creation, use and sharing of a single ITKC or integratedconstruct, although it should be appreciated that the preferredembodiment is preferably operable to enable one or more users to createone or more integrated constructs, which may be standalone or related toone another. It should also be appreciated that a user may include oneperson or a group of people.

The integrated construct or ITKC which is built by the user can beassociated with or contain as little information as the title or labelthe user assigns to the integrated construct. The integrated constructcan be associated with or contain one, some or none of the componenttypes enabled to the user by the preferred embodiment. The integratedconstruct can also contain or be associated with a one, none or aplurality of empty, partially completed, or completed components, asdescribed below. The output of the preferred embodiment may beelectronic or paper based. The method and system also enables users toinclude electronic information from other standard computerized toolsand information formats such as images and documents that may be copiedand pasted into or otherwise associated with portions of the integratedconstruct.

The archetype structure and method and process of the preferredembodiment are preferably modular in their embodiment to enable the useof individual or subset combinations of components in the progressivebuilding of the integrated construct, and the corresponding associatedportions of method and process. The method and components provided bythe preferred embodiment are based on the understanding of experts incompleting information intensive development, thinking and knowledgedevelopment about arbitrary problems. The method and system preferablyincludes guidance for the user as the user proceeds in the creation ofthe integrated construct, through the options and tools that areprovided to the user, through tracking user actions and providingsuggestions to the user, and through the design of the visual feedbackrepresentations, work spaces and navigation provided to the user. Themethod and process can be used or implemented in a linear fashion, butare preferably modular to enable creation of the components or the useof the archetype process in a non-linear fashion thereby supportingdifferent individual thinking and problem solving styles, and differentkinds and complexities of problems or topics, as discussed furtherbelow.

The representations and user interfaces provided by the preferredembodiment offer several distinct advantages, including but not limitedto the following: (i) the design of the one or more two-dimensional orpreferably three dimensional representations depict the development ofan ITKC and help guide and provide access for the user to the associatedarchetype process and archetype structure; (ii) in the three-dimensionalform, the display and manipulation of the integrated construct behavesas though it were a physical three dimensional object, in that theintegrated construct can be rotated, flipped, turned, zoomed in on andzoomed out on; (iii) each two or three dimensional representation of thetotal integrated construct represents the whole thinking for a userabout a problem or project, with parts that have meaning in relation tothat whole, and the relationships are made readily apparent; (iv) therepresentations provided by the preferred embodiment are in and ofthemselves a form of guidance, as they differentiate types of thinkingwork, provide meaningful workspaces for working on their problem fromdifferent vantage points, and suggest by their visual and placerelationships and specific design where the user is in relation to thearchetype process and structure, and next steps the user might want toconsider (as discussed below).

Order of Work and Thinking in the Construction of the IntegratedConstruct

The preferred embodiment facilitates the development of an integratedconstruct through a plurality of different paths, according to theuser's preferred thinking and problem solving approaches, the nature andcomplexity of the problem being addressed, and other determinants.Referring now to FIGS. 1B, 1C and 1D, the order in which problems orinquiry based projects may be completed and the integrated constructsand their various components are built and used can vary widely. Thestarting point, for instance, as shown schematically in FIG. 1B, may bedefining the topic set 22 by inputting or defining an issue, question orproblem and its descriptors, with subsequent focus on developing data 46and information constructs 42 and analysis constructs 44 and finally indeveloping views on an answer or summary view 26 (as would be the casein conducting most independent student projects or research papers).Alternatively, as schematically shown in FIG. 1C, the starting point maybe an answer or summary set 26 by inputting a single or set ofalternative answers, hypotheses, or summary views 26, for example, withsubsequent activities focusing on collecting and analyzing informationin data 46, information constructs 42 and/or analysis constructs 44, theclarification of topics or questions 22 relevant to the alternativeanswers or views, and so on (as would often be the case with adults whoare deliberating between alternative answers to a problem or have ahypothesis that is to be tested and proved; this is also the generalprocess for the scientific method). Similarly, as schematically shown inFIG. 1D, the starting point may be a set of information constructs 42which includes a set of information that has been previously gathered,that are to be interpreted, with subsequent focus on the meaningstatements 24 and analysis constructs 44 that may be developed based onsuch information (as might be the case in educational settings andactivities around a set of content, for example). It should beappreciated that a plurality of paths and a plurality of orders of useof the components as well as choice of the component types that maycomprise an integrated construct are all in accordance with thepreferred embodiment. The modularity and flexibility of the method andprocess that facilitates the flexibility in paths for integratedconstruct development provides a significant advantage.

It should thus be appreciated that the preferred embodiment preferablyprovides certain visual and general method of stability or familiarityto the user from the very outset of the definition of an arbitraryproblem through the completion of an integrated construct.

The preferred embodiment thus provides guidance while also providingflexibility in the approach to problems and inquiry based projects,enabling the user to address an inquiry based project in a natural,progressive way.

Applications of the Integrated Construct

The archetype structure and process that provides for the ability todevelop integrated constructs and the associated process, method andsystem of the preferred embodiment can be employed in a wide variety ofdifferent circumstances. As discussed above, one of the most prevalentuses is likely to be in supporting a user faced with a problem orsimilar project that may generally involve one, some or all of thefollowing: (i) some degree of defining one or more problems, issues,questions or other area of interest; (ii) gathering, organizing anddepicting information and/or preparing understanding or analysis aboutthat problem, issue, question or area of interest; (iii) determining anddeveloping the user's own understanding, perspectives and/or opinionabout that problem, issue, topic, question, or area of interest and theknowledge they have developed; (iv) constructing meaning about theproblem, issue, topic or area of interest, and/or adding the user's ownthinking, which may include the user's creative thoughts, theories,conclusions, and/or perspectives or other similar items; (v) determiningsome kind of culminating answer or summary view for their project orproblem; (vi) evaluating progress and adjusting their approach along theway, evaluating that the results are sound and follow principles of goodthinking and problem solving; (vii) portraying or otherwisecommunicating the user's results in completed form and/or while inprocess. Although the preferred embodiment supports the totality ofactivities involved in such arbitrary problems or inquiry basedprojects, the preferred embodiment can be used effectively to supportand enable any one, some or all of these activities in absence of acomplete process for an arbitrary problem or inquiry based project orfor any subset of combination of these activities.

The preferred embodiment may be used in learning environments (such asprimary or secondary schools, colleges and universities) as well as incommercial environments (such as corporations, partnerships and otherbusinesses) and non-commercial environments (such as in home or personalprojects). In a preferred embodiment, the archetype process andstructure can be used in almost any understanding and/or problem solvingor opinion situation, in place of a text paper, an electronicpresentation, or a web site.

Certain Advantages of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

The preferred embodiment can be employed in many different circumstancesand by many different types of users. This enables better transfer oflearning of thinking skills across problems or projects for a singleuser, and sharing such learning across users.

Another advantage of the preferred embodiment is that the archetypeprocess and structure provide a modular approach that enable the user tonavigate flexibly across the components of the integrated construct andthe steps of the process and method, including a plurality of differententry points. Different thinking and problem solving styles can besupported, and yet still benefit from the guidance and trackingabilities of the tool.

While the preferred embodiment provides for support of a wide range oftypes and complexities of problems, issues and topics from definition ofa topic of interest through creation and depiction of the summaryunderstanding, solution or result, the steps and components of thepreferred embodiment can be used individually or in subset combinationsthereof.

The preferred embodiment enables the visualization and feedback ofdeveloping and completed thinking and knowledge about a problem not onlyfor the immediate user, but the ITKC can be shared with other users.

Other advantages of the preferred embodiment include, but are notlimited to the following: (i) the scope of the archetype structure andprocess may include and integrate not only data and information orknowledge related to a problem, but importantly, how the user chooses todefine the problem, question or topic they are trying to solve and themeaning, viewpoint or answer the user chooses to create from theinformation and analyses the user collects and/or creates; (ii) the ITKCthat the user develops is an ongoing detailed and high level, highlyrelated construction that encapsulates their thinking and knowledge workand can therefore be tracked and used as the basis for guidance; (iii)the preferred embodiment provides the ability to create, manage, view,and maintain components and simple and complex linkages between thecomponents as the integrated construct is developed, both vertically(such as in levels of detail) and horizontally (such as in informationalrelationships); (iv) the archetype structure and representations maydifferentiate classes of types of thinking and knowledge related workinto a set of identifiable regions which focus on the particularthinking or knowledge activity; (v); (vi) the representations mayprovide a way of abstracting away from the detailed content and linkagesduring appropriate thinking and knowledge activities, while stillproviding access to detail as desired; (vii) the representations mayprovide optimal combinations of components for different work activitieswith their associated method and process, and may use visualrepresentations and other methods to provide the user with suggestionson next steps or views, and others as evident elsewhere herein.

Implementation Approach

One embodiment within a computer environment is depicted in FIG. 2, withelements of this embodiment generally including: (i) a set of computersoftware programs 90 resident on or operating through a computerprocessor 91 a and 91 b; (ii) a suitable form of data storage andmanagement 93 capable of facilitating the storage and retrieval ofmultiple components of the integrated construct, any associatedlinkages, as well as process history, user profiles, and specific ITKCcomponent content and characteristics; (iii) a graphical user interface96 or other suitable representation mechanism or form 97, whetherdirectly connected to a CPU 91 or working through a network 95 c toaccess a remote CPU 91 or other display mechanism of some kind; and (iv)likely access to other electronic information sources such as theInternet 95 a and other electronic sources, whether resident on the sameCPU as indicated in block 94 d, as the programs or accessible via alocal or other network 95 b. The preferred embodiment may also co-residewith other standard tools, such as a word processor 94 a, a spreadsheetprocessor 94 c, and Internet browser 94 b and other such tools. Asstated below, the preferred embodiment may be resident on a local CPU 91or accessible remotely over local networks 95 b or the Internet block 95a. As also described more fully below, the embodiments are not limitedby type of operating system, 92.

FIG. 3 depicts one example architecture for one embodiment is operableto provide the logic, method and process, capabilities and components,and representations for one or more users. In this embodiment, thearchitecture software modules represented in FIG. 3 interact to providethe functionality described herein, and which in one embodimentgenerally include: (i) a representation or graphical user interface 100;(ii) a view manager 200 or like module(s) which facilitates therepresentations or graphical user interface, the status of theirevolving ITKC and portions of associated process and content beingpresented to the user; (iii) a process manager suggestor 300 whichutilizes the archetype structure and process to provide help and guidesto the user; (iv) a process manager 400 or like module which facilitatesthe user in constructing their ITKC based on and guided by the archetypestructure; iv) a linkage manager 600 or like module which updateslinkages among and between the components of the integrated constructand groups of components, in some cases automatically and in other casesin response to user actions; (vi) an update manager 700 or like modulewhich updates the content and structure of the integrated construct inresponse to user actions; and (vii) the content of the integratedconstruct and its associated structure or formats, stored in a suitableform of data storage and retrieval mechanisms 800. These generalsoftware architectural modules are described in greater detail followingthe description of the method and process of the invention providedbelow.

It should be appreciated that the specific embodiment may be operativein a plurality of electronic and computerized environments, as describedmore fully below. It should further be appreciated that the preciseboundaries of computer programs or other implementation mechanisms candiffer from those represented in the general software architecturedepicted in FIG. 3 and still be in accordance with the preferredembodiment. It should further be appreciated that although theembodiments rendered in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 3 show a division betweenprocess and data, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is beobject oriented or at the least highly based on object oriented designprinciples. The modularity of the method and process and itscorrespondence in structure to the components of the integratedconstruct lend themselves readily to object oriented implementation.

The storage and management of the data/information and structuralrelationships that comprise the integrated construct can be created andaccomplished through the use of a plurality of alternative, readilyavailable mechanisms and approaches. It should be appreciated that aplurality of different data storage formats and associated creationmechanisms may be used to facilitate the process and integratedconstruct in accordance with the present invention. Given the generalpurpose and nature of the invention, the optimal implementationmechanisms for data storage and creation will differ according to theamount and complexity of the information, as well as the size andcomplexity of knowledge and thinking constructs being included in orassociated with the integrated construct. These options will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art. One of the advantages of theintegrated construct's architecture is that the process and constructcan be implemented over a broad range of project complexities and broadrange of amounts of data/information while still utilizing the samegeneral user components, process, tools, regions, methods, and to agreat extent, interface or representations.

The interface representation, process, method, and underlying logic andinformation architecture for the integrated construct do not employassumptions about the underlying operating system. In one computerizedembodiment, the present invention may be implemented using one or morecomputer programs, each of which executes under the control of anoperating system, such as Windows, OS2, DOS, AIX, UNIX, MAC OS andothers, and causes the computer to perform the desired functions asdescribed herein. Using the present specifications, the invention may beimplemented as a machine, process, or article of manufacture by usingstandard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software,firmware, hardware and any combination thereof.

Generally, in the computerized embodiment, the computer programs and/oroperating system are tangibly embodied in a computer readable device ormedia, such as memory, data storage devices, and/or data communicationdevices, thereby making a computer program product or article ofmanufacture according to the present invention, which may encompass acomputer program accessible from any suitable computer or electronicreadable device or media. The present invention can similarly beimplemented with a plurality of configurations and devices.

Moreover, in the computerized embodiment, the computer programs andoperating system are generally comprised of instructions which, whenread and executed by computers, cause the computers to perform the stepsnecessary to implement and/or use the present invention. Under controlof the operating system, the computer programs may be loaded frommemory, data storage devices, and/or data communication devices into thememories of the computers for use during actual operations. The presentinvention can thus be implemented in a local or remote processingenvironment, including use of a single computer, servers, the Internetor other forms of networked processing and communication. It should beappreciated that many modifications can be made to this implementationconfiguration in accordance with the present invention.

Media Types

The present invention facilitates the incorporation of a plurality ofmedia types in each of its components and activities, including but notlimited to alphanumeric characters, images, graphics, video,quantitative sets, three dimensional renderings, etc. It is common inthe art of manually or paper based inquiry based projects to incorporateand use any or all of these information or media types, and it issimilarly common in the art of computer programming, data delivered viathe Internet and other electronic based information to incorporate aplurality of different information or media types. It should thereforebe appreciated that the present invention is not intended to exclude anymedia type from the description, but rather to incorporate the pluralityof media types common in the forms described above and likely to beincorporated into such forms over time.

User Interaction

In one embodiment of the present invention, user interaction with thesystem is accomplished through the manipulation of one or more userinteraction, interface or input devices, such as a computer mouse,trackball, keyboard, touch pad, touch screen or stylus. Actions by auser with one or more of these interaction devices may cause a pluralityof results, including but not limited to: (i) movement of a visualmarker (e.g., pointer or cursor) across or on a representation providedby the system such as on a suitable display device; (ii) changes in therepresentations provided by the invention; or (iii) indication by theuser that a component available to the user is to be selected forfurther action in some manner. Throughout the description of thedetailed method, process, and system of the present invention, referenceis made to user interactions such as these. “Selection” as used hereinis intended to convey any suitable electronic means by which a user canindicate that the user wishes to initiate the relevant action associatedwith that selection. Similarly, movements by the user within and acrossthe representations provided by the system are described as a way tochange position and therefore access the relevant aspects of the methodand system, or to change views of the integrated construct, itscomponents or the regions or cognitive regions of the integratedconstruct as described herein. Such event handling approaches are wellknown to those skilled in the art. It should be appreciated that the useof other user interaction devices that result in similar inputs or cuesto the system of the present invention may be used in accordance withthe present invention. For example, user interaction can be accomplishedthrough voice activation mechanisms, or through prompting fromelectronic transactions from other sources that result in an electronicsignal to the system that is the functional equivalent of either entrythrough user interaction devices such as a keyboard or a mouse.

Display Devices

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the systemdisplays a plurality of representations that may be provided on one ormore of a plurality of devices. The present invention contemplates thedisplay on one or more of a variety of suitable of display devices ordisplays. The present invention can be embodied through any suitabledevice that generally provides the functional equivalent of the computerscreen or projected screen, hologram, or other electronic projection, aswell as via paper or other media type. An alternative embodiment of thepresent invention provides for printing or otherwise displays portionsof or the totality of the integrated construct and representations ofthe in-process or completed region views onto paper or othernon-electronic media. Another embodiment of the present inventionprovides for the construction of a physical construct, with the abilityto place, arrange or associate the information associated with each ofthe components of the integrated construct on or to a physical structure(as might be done, for example, on a physical exhibit).

Potential Components of the Integrated Construct in One Embodiment

A key enabler to the preferred embodiment is the archetype structure forthe content created and associated with accomplishing an inquiry basedproject, preferably made up of both thinking and knowledge constructs.The component classes or types that make up the archetype structure areprovided for the user to create, select, edit and link in the buildingof their ITKC. Linkages and relationships between components may becreated directly by the user or automatically by the system, asdescribed more fully below. In a preferred embodiment, the creation ofcomponents by the user creates subsequent thinking subset structures andworkspaces customized to facilitate focus and thinking on meaningfulsubsets of the project and at a plurality of levels of detail. Thefollowing describes in greater detail examples of components of thearchetype structure that may be used to comprise a user's thinking andknowledge construct, or ITKC as originally depicted generally in FIG.1A. The manner in which the archetype structure is subsequently used toevaluate and further guide the user is described in a later sectionherein.

In a preferred embodiment, types of components are synonymous withclasses, as the archetype structure lends itself easily to objectoriented implementation, although such implementation is not required.

Thinking Constructs in one preferred embodiment are made up of a TopicSet, (including a Main Topic or Problem and subtopics), a MeaningStatement Set, and an Answer or Summary View.

Topic Set

Referring again to FIG. 1, one of the thinking structures that may beused as a part of a thinking construct includes the topic set 22, whichmay be used to define the scope of the problem, question, issue, subjector topic or area of interest intended for pursuit by the user.Components of the topic set may include items such as one or moretopics, subjects, questions, problems, issues, areas of interest or anysuitable other way of defining an area of interest. Components of thetopic set may exist in a plurality of information media forms, includingbut not limited to text statements, drawings, images, or other commonlyused or suitable information media forms or formats.

FIG. 4A generally illustrates an example structure of a topic set 22. Inthis preferred embodiment, the topic set of an integrated constructincludes at least one statement of main topic 1220, generallyrepresenting the highest level or summary topic, subject, question,problem or issue intended to be included in the integrated construct(for example, in an educational context, the main topic might be “Whatcaused the development of the Constitution?”). The topic set may alsoinclude one or more subtopics 1222, 1224 and 1226 that are labeledSubtopics 1, 2 and 3 in FIG. 4A. Subtopics may be defined in order topartition or otherwise further elaborate the topic, subject, question,problem or issue of interest into smaller, more targeted or definedtopics, subjects, questions, or issues of interest (for example,continuing in an education context, subtopics might include “Who createdthe Constitution?”, and “What events led up to the Constitution?”). Thesubtopics associated with a main topic may also take on a plurality ofinformation forms.

Referring again to FIG. 4A, in a preferred embodiment, subtopics may befurther associated with one or more secondary subtopics such assecondary sub-topics 1222 a, 1222 b, 1222 c, 1224 a, 1224 b, and 1226 arespectively. These subtopics may provide a lower level of partitioningor other further elaboration of the subtopic, sub-question, sub-problem,sub-issue or sub-area of interest. For example, the subtopic “Whocreated the Constitution?” might be further partitioned or elaboratedthrough two additional secondary subtopics, such as “Who were theConvention delegates?” and “What were their beliefs?” The secondarysubtopics associated with any subtopic may again be comprised ofinformation in any form: textual, drawing, video, image, graphic, etc. Asecondary subtopic may be linked to more than one subtopic. Although themost often utilized linking is likely to be that of subdividing intogreater detail or parts, the preferred embodiment also allows for theidentification of other kinds of linkages across and among subtopics. Itshould be appreciated that the number of levels provided for the topicset may be varied and will generally be limited only by the processingrobustness of the technology and data storage platforms on which thepresent invention is implemented.

FIGS. 4A-10 illustrates an example of a topic set, in this case createdfor a history project for an educational assignment. The presentinvention generally provides several representation choices, describedmore fully below. One preferred embodiment of the present invention alsoprovides assistance in the form of a topic or question help tool,described in greater detail as a part of the method and processdescription below.

The topic set 22 is preferably available throughout the process andmethod of the present invention for viewing, editing, adding to ordeleting topics, subtopics, and/or secondary subtopics. This enables theuser to for instance add additional relevant questions after the user isfurther along in the user's thinking process and investigation on theproject. Linkages among and between components within the topic set aremanaged and can be changed, via the link or linkage manager 600generally illustrated in FIG. 3 and described below. For example,secondary subtopics that are associated with a subtopic can subsequentlybe changed or moved to be linked to a different subtopic. Similarly,secondary subtopics can be changed or moved to become higher levelsubtopics, associated then with the main topic, if the user desires todo so. It should also be appreciated that other components of theintegrated construct may be linked to components of the topic set andthen available for viewing and editing accordingly, as will be describedmore fully in the detailed description of the method and process setforth below. In a preferred embodiment, topics, questions, issues orother areas of interest defined in the Topic Set also provide the basisfor one form of subsetting the project into meaningful subsets for workand consideration by the user (as described more fully below).

In one embodiment, the archetype structure provides for more than onetopic set for the same problem, as in providing alternative means ofsubsetting or elaborating the problem of concern.

Information Constructs

Referring back to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, informationconstructs 42 provide a way for the user to create, organize, group,format, and reference the collection of information or data that theuser chooses to enter, create, or associate with their project and theintegrated construct. In the educational project “What caused theConstitution?” for example, the user may wish to create informationconstructs for some of the key framers (James Madison, GeorgeWashington), the Constitution, the key parts of the Federal government(the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches perhaps) and stategovernment. Information constructs in the invention may be formattedwith specific elements, partially formatted, of highly unstructured (asin including or being associated with just a block of text for example).

In a preferred embodiment, an information construct 42 may be made up ofa large amount of information and/or high number of informationelements, or may include as little information as the title, label ornumber assigned to it by the user. Reference points from otherintegrated construct components to information constructs 42 may beprovided to the information construct in at least two ways including butnot limited to: (a) to the information construct as a whole; and/or (b)to the information elements or groups of information elements associatedwith the information construct.

FIG. 4B generally illustrates an example of the addition of aninformation construct such as 1422, 1424 or 1426 to an integratedconstruct 10, specifically in the case where a topic set 22 has beendefined. An information construct may be defined uniquely in theintegrated construct with a label, number or title. The title, number orlabel for the information construct may serve as a reference point tothe collection of information or data elements that are to be associatedwith the unique label or title.

In a preferred embodiment, information constructs 42 generally may beunformatted, fully formatted or partially formatted in their form.Unformatted information constructs provide the ability to add text,drawings, and/or other portions of information to be stored andassociated with the title or label given uniquely to the informationconstruct, and therefore available to the user and for linkage or usewith other information construct or integrated construct components. Anexample of one embodiment of the entry of an unformatted informationconstruct 1422 a is shown in FIGS. 4D-10. As specified elsewhere herein,the information or data may include a plurality of media forms whenincluded in or associated with information constructs.

The preferred embodiment may facilitates the assignment or associationof information constructs with one or a number of subclasses or types.In one embodiment of the present invention, information constructs maybe classified as “People,” “Places,” “Things,” “Media,” “Ideas,”“Events,” “Issues” and “Other.” The present invention also generallyfacilitates the creation of user specified, customized classes or typesof information constructs. In the preferred embodiment, the assignmentof information constructs to class types is not required. Informationconstructs can be seen and manipulated at a plurality of levels ofdetail, including but not limited to the detailed level, the summarylevel and at an overall title or symbolic or icon level via the presentinvention. The method and system also provides the ability to link andreference information constructs from the appropriate internal fields ofother information constructs, and to define the nature of thoserelationships (for example, the person information construct “JamesMadison” having a birthplace element that is associated with the placeinformation construct “Virginia”).

The present invention facilitates the user associating and labelinginformation constructs as belonging to a similar category or group;information constructs may be associated with more than one group at thesame time or in the same project. For example, information constructs ofthe type “People” might be grouped according to categories such as“Political Leaders,” “Explorers” and “Artists.” In a preferredembodiment, the present invention provides for the creation of groups ofinformation constructs, the labeling or naming or titling of suchgroups, and the inclusion of descriptive or explanatory information todescribe or otherwise explain the nature or definition of the group.Once created in the preferred embodiment, groups also behave and may betreated by the user similarly to information constructs in their ownright. For example, the user can add information to the group—informatted, unformatted or a combination form; groups can be linked orotherwise associated with topics, meaning statements, and otherIntegrated Construct components; groups can be associated with orotherwise linked with Analysis Constructs.

The present invention in a preferred embodiment facilitates the visualdistinction of different types or classes of information constructs inthe display or representations of the integrated construct, such asthrough the use of different colors, icon designs, and/or shapes. In oneembodiment, different colors and intensities of representation are usedto depict the user's rating of the importance of the differentinformation constructs. It should also be appreciated that differentvisual solutions may be used to differentiate the type or class ofinformation construct in accordance with the present invention.

In one preferred embodiment, the method and system of the presentinvention provides a number of available formats to assist the user instructuring information elements of a particular subclass or type. Anexample of such a structured format 42 b is illustrated in FIGS. 5D-20.Structured formats provided for information elements are generallyassociated with unique labels and a defined field or data type. Forexample, the information construct type “People” may include optionaluse of structured fields or data elements such as birth date. Ifselected to be associated with a particular information construct, thestructured element format may become an empty data field associated withthe information construct's label, and ready for receiving or otherwisebeing associated with information either via direct input by the user,or through other data entry mechanisms as described in the detailedmethod and process section below.

Information Constructs may be linked or associated with one another in avariety of ways, including but not limited to: 1.) the association ofone information construct as a whole with another information constructas a whole (for example, that the Information Construct James Madison,of type Person, helped create the Information Construct TheConstitution, of type Thing or Media Thing); 2.) the association of afield that has been associated with or made a part of an InformationConstruct with another Information Construct (for example, that theInformation Construct James Madison's, of type Person, birthplace—afield—was the Information Construct Virginia, of type Place). Additionallinks can be created between Information Constructs by the user torepresent other relationships, either using labels for relationshiptypes that are provided by the invention, or by entering their owncustom labels (see later descriptions included in this documentregarding links). For example, the Information Construct James Madisonmight be linked or related to the Information Construct BenjaminFranklin and labeled with the indication that they are “alike” in someway. Such links may also include internal data available to the user,such as in the user describing how the Information Constructs describedabove are “alike.” The resulting linkages or associations made with anInformation Construct (and potentially made at different points of useand from different views as the user uses the invention) may then berepresented to the user for review, editing, adding, in a representationsuch as shown in FIG. 7D, which shows an example of one embodiment of alinkage view for the information construct James Madison, 42.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention allows a user to changesuch formatting of an Information Construct over time. For example, auser may initially create a Person Information Construct, labeled JamesMadison, but have no additional information they wish to add to thatInformation Construct at the time they create the construct. Oncecreated, the Information Construct (even in its “empty” form) may beassociated or otherwise linked to other Integrated Construct Components(such as topics, meaning statements, analysis constructs, and others).Subsequently, the user may find some research information—perhaps overthe Internet (as described more fully elsewhere herein) that he/shewants to associate with the James Madison Information Construct. Usingthe methods described later in this document, the user can select somesuch information and associate with the “empty” James MadisonInformation Construct, either as a section of text without furtherformatting, or by creating an element or field associated with theInformation Construct and then associating the information with thatelement or field (such as Accomplishments, for example). Similarly,subsequently the user may decide that they wish to format theinformation additionally, instead of just having the text associatedwith a field or element label such as Accomplishments. The user maysubsequently decide they wish to create fields or elements separatelyfor Career and Publications, for example, and may do so with the presentinvention at any time during the life of the Information Construct.Elements, fields or sub areas of information associated with anInformation Construct may be created by selecting from the predefinedset provided by the present invention, or by creating custom elements,fields, or sub areas. The user may also subsequently format a field thatwas text, for example, as a date.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, information constructs mayall have one or more common fields, such a separate field, element orinformation sub area for the inclusion of the user's opinion of theimportance of the information construct, in light of the project, andfor a summary story about the information Construct. In anotherembodiment of the invention, the user is provided with options to addrequired or standard fields, elements or sub areas to the differentInformation Constructs they will be creating in their project.

The robustness and flexibility of Information Constructs provided by thepresent invention make them a valuable set of components, not only aspart of an integrated construct, but also in conjunction with subsets ofthe total integrated construct,

Analysis Constructs

Referring back to FIG. 1, analysis constructs 44 are one component typeprovided by the archetype structure that generally enable useful viewsof information and constructed understanding which may provide a basisfor the user to discern meaning. For example, in the educational project“What caused the development of the Constitution?”, analysis constructsmight be created which included a sequence of events, a comparison ofthe beliefs of the different framers of the Constitution, or a visualdepiction of the members who were Federalists vs. Antifederalists.Analysis constructs 44 may be developed based on previously createdinformation constructs 42 and data 46, and may also be created based onnew user's actions and not directly connected to previously createdinformation constructs 42 or data 46. Analysis constructs may also becreated and linked or otherwise referenced to other standard electronicanalysis forms, such as spreadsheets.

Like information constructs, the present invention provides thatanalysis constructs may be defined by a unique label or title, which maybe in a variety of different information media forms, including but notlimited to textual characters, images, graphics or any other suitablemedia type. Once created, an analysis construct preferably provides aworkspace for the user, which may contain text, drawings, images or aplurality of information media forms. It should be appreciated thatanalysis constructs as described herein include both the provisioning ofan interactive workspace for the user and the storage of the informationcomponents and relationships that must be stored to enable the user toretrieve and subsequently view or edit the analysis construct.

Analysis constructs 44 may generally work as components within thelarger integrated construct 10 structure. As such, analysis constructsmay be labeled, referenced, and linked to the other components of theintegrated construct, such as elements of the topic set 22, meaningstatement set 24, and answer or summary set 26. Analysis constructs canalso provide value to the user as standalone information subsets, or asconstructs associated with information constructs (whether formatted orunformatted). Like information constructs, analysis constructs may alsobe unformatted, fully formatted or partially formatted.

FIG. 4C depicts an example of the addition of an analysis construct 1442to an integrated construct, specifically in the case in which a topicset 22 and certain information constructs 1422, 1424 and 1426 have beendefined previously for the integrated construct.

Referring again to FIG. 1, analysis constructs 44 may reference theinformation constructs and/or information elements. Analysis constructs44 may show relationships between and among the information constructs42, whether formatted, partially formatted, or unformatted, aspreviously described. These relationships may be based upon and builtout of several different approaches by the user including, for example:(a) based on the contents of one or more information elements associatedwith a particular information construct 42; (b) relationships betweeninformation constructs 42 either perceived by the user or automaticallydefined within the integrated construct 10; and/or (c) the judgment ofthe user regarding the information elements within the informationconstructs 42, or any combination thereof. Analysis Constructs may alsobe created without any reference to prior created informationconstructs. As described more fully in the method and process later inthis document, the user may create an Analysis Construct withoutreference to Information Constructs, either through the use ofUnstructured Notes, or through the direct creation of an AnalysisConstruct using the drawing, text, image, and video import capabilitiesassociated with the Analysis Construct. For example, a user may chooseto draw the relationships he or she has been seeing in the informationcollected, or sketch a diagram of a hypothetical causation relationshipfreehand, as opposed to using the preformatted Analysis Constructs orspecific references to the Information Constructs themselves.

FIGS. 5H-10 generally depicts examples of relationships that may bedefined in one embodiment of the present invention between analysisconstructs 44 a and information constructs 1422, 1424, 1426, and 1428 inan integrated construct.

In a preferred embodiment, analysis constructs 44 may be used inconjunction with information constructs 42 and unstructured data 46 tocomprise the knowledge construct 40 portion of the integrated construct10. Capabilities of analysis constructs in a preferred embodiment maygenerally include for example, but not limited to, the followingabilities: (a) analysis constructs may reference, link and displayinformation construct labels and/or icons or summary depictions in orderto enable views and create understanding across individual informationconstructs, while still maintaining links to the detail within thoseinformation constructs for access by the user when desired; (b) analysisconstructs may reference, link to and display information elements fromwithin information constructs with similar access to related detailinformation; (c) analysis constructs may generate analysis constructviews or portions of analysis construct views based on the contents ofthe information elements associated with specific Information constructs(as in the construction of a timeline from date elements withininformation constructs); (d) analysis constructs may enable the user tocreate a depiction of their understanding freeform, through text,drawings, graphics, images or other media forms (as in drawing thecausal relationships between concepts or issues they have identified intheir project); and, as described previously, (e) analysis constructsmay provide visual representations and/or reference links to analysescreated with other software or electronic capabilities, including butnot limited to spreadsheets, graphs, images, and others.

FIGS. 5H-20 illustrates an example of a partially completed workspace 44b for an analysis construct. In this particular embodiment, the analysisconstruct 44 b provides a view of understanding of information acrossdifferent information constructs, as depicted in the “event” icons andlabels shown on FIGS. 5H-20. The present invention enables the user tocreate a particular analysis view across multiple informationconstructs. At the same time, any detail information elements associatedwith each of the information constructs may be available to the user byselecting the individual information construct and having the viewmanager (see FIG. 3) display the detailed information elements for theselected information construct.

In one preferred embodiment, analysis constructs may also include fieldssuch as a field associated with each unique analysis construct for thecreation and entry by the user of an observational or summary statementabout the analysis construct. This observational or summary statementfield is generally preferably textual, but may also be comprised of aplurality of information media forms. An example of such anobservational field is show in FIGS. 5H-20, which is an example of apartially completed analysis construct. In one preferred embodiment,observations that are entered associated with an analysis construct arethen later made available to the user in a combined view as basis forcreating higher-level meaning (see later descriptions of method andprocess and representations).

In one embodiment, the present invention provides for the ability tosave formats created for analysis constructs for future use. Forexample, the format illustrated in FIGS. 5H-30 may be saved as “historytimeline.” In this way, a user can create new analysis constructs withnew content and less work than the original analysis construct. In onepreferred embodiment, the method, process and system provide a set ofpreformatted analysis constructs as models to choose from for the user.

For example, in one embodiment, the present invention providespreformatted analysis constructs for sequence, timeline, qualitativecomparison and contrast, quantitative comparison, categorizationanalysis, family tree, and causation analysis. It should be readilyapparent that additional preformatted analysis constructs are obviousextensions and well within the scope and intent of the presentinvention, especially if they share the same general fields andcapabilities and relationships with respect to information constructs asdescribed herein.

For preformatted analysis constructs (whether provided as standard withthe method and process of the invention, or created as custom and savedby the user), the preferred embodiment provides the additional abilityto automatically generate analysis constructs based on the datacontained in or associated with information constructs and/or theirfields or elements. For example, if information constructs have beencreated with fields or elements of type “date” associated with them,then the user is able to select those dates and automatically generate atimeline for their review. Similarly, if information constructs havebeen created with commonly defined fields or elements, then the user isable to select those commonly defined fields or elements andautomatically generate a compare and contrast analysis construct. Oncegenerated, the user is able to decide about the generated analysisconstruct whether to “keep as is,” “modify” or “delete” the analysisconstruct.

In a preferred embodiment, analysis constructs as a type of component orclass generally include 1.) a title, number, label or other identifierand 2.) an observational or other summary field or fields; 3.) abackdrop visual and/or overall structure for the analysis construct; andthen may include any or all of the following: 4.) a structure for theinclusion of information constructs and/or information elements, 5)visual and/or data references to whole information constructs, summaryviews of the selected information constructs, and/or the elements orfields associated with Information Constructs; 6.) the inclusion oftools provided specifically by the present invention, as describedfurther elsewhere herein, 7.) unstructured information notes; 8.) thecreation of drawing, links with or without labels or other visualdepictions by the user, and/or 9.) drawings, text, images or videosincluded with the analysis construct as provided by the user, andothers.

In the preferred embodiment, the archetype structure provides for theability to create analysis constructs that include references to othersoftware tools.

Meaning Statement Set

Referring back to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment facilitates thecreation of a meaning statement set 24, preferably as a portion of thethinking construct 20 of a completed inquiry project and integratedconstruct 10. The meaning statement set 24 generally includes thecollection of statements or other informational depictions and theirrelationships to one another and to other project components, as createdby the user to represent understanding, meaning and judgment about theknowledge construct components, whether in the form of a hypothesis,idea or a fully formed set of conclusions or understanding. Continuingthe example for the project “What caused the development of theConstitution?”, meaning statements might include items like “Framers hadsome very different beliefs” and “Big states and little states wanteddifferent approaches.” Meaning statements can be developed at differentlevels of specificity and abstraction, and the present invention assistsin building higher levels of meaning from lower level, or more specificstatements of meaning (as described further in the method and processand representations for the system).

In one embodiment, individual meaning statements as a type or class ofcomponent available to the ITKC are generally uniquely identified bytheir contents. In one embodiment of the present invention, meaningstatements may be assigned a unique number identifier and/or a referenceas well. Although one embodiment of the present invention includesmeaning statements made up of textual characters, the method and systemof the present invention also facilitates the use of drawings, images,and a plurality of other media forms as meaning statements.

In a preferred embodiment, the method and system provide that meaningstatements may exist independently as a part of an integrated construct(i.e., not linked to any other components or group of components of theintegrated construct), or may be linked to any one or more or all of thecomponents of the integrated construct. Links among meaning statementsand between meaning statements and other components of the integratedconstruct may be added, changed, or deleted using the method and systemof the preferred embodiment.

In one embodiment, meaning statements may be assigned a relationship toone another, including but not limited to supporting, contradicting andothers. Meaning statements may also be assigned a lateral relationshipto one another. FIG. 4D illustrates an example of one embodiment of therelationships inherent in the addition of a meaning statement 1242 to anintegrated construct, specifically in the case in which a topic set 22,some information constructs 1422, 1424, and 1426, and an analysisconstruct 1442 have been defined for the integrated constructpreviously. In one embodiment, the relationships between a meaningstatement and another type of component of an integrated construct maysimilarly be constructed and labeled as to its type. For example, ameaning statement may be linked to an analysis construct (or to aportion of an analysis construct) with a link indicating that themeaning statement is “supported by” the analysis construct. Similarly, ameaning statement may be linked to an information construct or a portionof an information construct with a link indicating that the meaningstatement is “not supported by” or “is contradicted by” the informationconstruct or portion of the information construct. In one embodiment,the present invention provides the user with a number of predefined linktypes for their selection and use, included but not limited to linktypes such as “supports”, “contradicts”, “is related to”, and others. Inone preferred embodiment, the present invention also provides the userthe capability to define their own label for the link. Meaningstatements may be linked to one another in hierarchical, lateral orother relationships and also labeled. One preferred embodimentfacilitates the linking of multiple meaning statements to one another atleast partially through hierarchical relationships, to allow thebuilding up of lower level, more specific meaning statements to higherlevel, more comprehensive meaning statements, eventually in support ofthe chosen answer for the project.

As discussed below, in one preferred embodiment, in the case of the useof multiple or alternative answers, one integrated construct may havemultiple sets of meaning statements. These multiple sets of meaningstatements may be related to the respective alternative answers,regardless of the stage of completion of the answer. The presentinvention also provides the user with the ability to create multiplemeaning statement sets as a means of creating alternative “views ofmeaning” across the same or similar sets of knowledge components.Alternative or multiple sets of meaning statements associated with thesame integrated construct may have all, some, or none of the samemeaning statements and linkages associated with them. Similarly,alternative or multiple sets of meaning statements associated with thesame integrated construct may have all, some or none of the sameinformation constructs, analysis constructs, and topics associated withthem.

In one preferred embodiment, the creation of meaning statements providesone means for the system to subset the project as a whole intomeaningful subsets, for work and consideration by the user. Such asubset or individual meaning statement “view” is more fully describedlater in the representation discussion. In a preferred embodiment, thepresent invention also provides for a view of all meaning statementswith their associated supporting observations, importance statements, orother supporting links to knowledge constructs such as informationconstructs and/or analysis constructs.

Answer or Summary Set

Referring back to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment facilitates thedevelopment of the answer or summary component or answer or summary set26 of the integrated construct 10, that is preferably a portion of thethinking construct 20 of an integrated construct. The answer or summaryset 26 may be made up of textual characters, and/or a drawing, image,graphic, diagram, or a plurality of other information media forms. Theanswer or summary set 26 is preferably linked to the main topic of theintegrated construct, especially in a completed construct. The answer orsummary set 26 preferably may be linked via the link manager to meaningstatements 24. In one embodiment of the present invention, links betweenthe answer or summary set and meaning statements set can be labeled andcategorized, including but not limited to such relationships assupportive or consistent with the answer or summary, or refuting orbeing inconsistent with the answer or summary set. The answer or summaryset may similarly be linked via the link manager to informationconstructs 42, analysis constructs 44, unstructured data 46 or any othercomponent that may be associated with the integrated construct 10.

One embodiment of the present invention provides for the creation of theanswer or summary set 26 which may include one or more answers orsummaries, such as with alternative answers or summaries underconsideration by the user, which may be associated at the same time tothe same integrated construct 10. Similarly, in this embodiment of thepresent invention, the linkages 60 between the multiple answers orsummary and meaning statements or other components can differ, accordingto the specific answer or summary being linked. For example, answer “A”may have links to meaning statements “A,” “B” and “C,” while answer “B”may have links to meaning statement “B,” “D” and “E.”

The answer or summary set is preferably available to the user throughoutthe course of the use of the present invention in developing and editingan integrated construct, and may therefore be changed or added to in thecourse of the project. This enables users to develop initial answers andrefine those answers as the user's work on the project proceeds. Suchactions may be included as the present invention documents and tracksthe user's thinking processes, and subsequently makes such trackingavailable.

In one preferred embodiment, the answer or summary set may also beassociated with a definition by the user of the goals, requirements, orcharacteristics regarding what is important that the answer or summarySet achieve. These goals, requirements, characteristics or otherdescription of what the answer or summary set should be like aresimilarly available to the user throughout the course of the project foradding, editing, or deleting.

One Embodiment of Software Architecture

In one embodiment, the general modules of the software architecture asdepicted in FIG. 3 of one preferred embodiment interact with one anotherin a manner as depicted generally in FIG. 3A. Referring to FIG. 3A, thearchetype process and system of the present invention facilitate theprocess and present options to users in the form of views and availableportions of method or functions. In a preferred embodiment, suchrepresentation may take the form of a graphical user interface, asindicated in block 100. Users may generally select among availableoptions as presented in the views, and signal an action to the presentinvention through a plurality of interaction devices and approaches asdescribed above and indicated in block 110. In the preferred embodiment,the process manager evaluates the user event, as shown in block 302, andmay respond in a number of ways, based on an evaluation of the actiontaken by the user, the history of user actions, archetype process andstructure inference and completion rules, as indicated in block 3000,status of the integrated construct at the time, as evaluated in block320, the specific portion of process being conducted by the user asindicated by their placement in the system at the time, and otherrelevant factors. Options for response to a user event block 110following evaluation block 302 may include, but are not limited to thefollowing: (i) change and re-optimize the view as indicated in block 205and facilitated then by the view manager 200 or similar module; (ii)suggest one or more actions or alternative actions to the user based onthe evaluation of the event (block 302) and ITKC status (block 320) asindicated in block 390 and then represented to the user through the ViewManager, block 200; (iii) create a new component in content and/orstructure as indicated in block 420 and facilitated by the processmanager 400 or similar module; (iv) modify or delete an existingcomponent both with regard to content and/or structure as indicated byblock 420 and facilitated by the process manager 400 or similar moduleand update manager 700 or similar module; (v) create new or modifyexisting (automated or user created) linkages between or amongcomponents as indicated by block 605 and facilitated by the linkagemanager 600 or similar module; and (vi) access and associate externaldata or informational sources as indicated by block 905 and facilitatedby external electronic sources and the update manager or similar module700, which may then be followed by additional user events such ascreating new component, or modifying components as indicated in block420.

In this application, the aforementioned software architecture isprovided as one embodiment of the general modules that may be used toimplement and provide the present invention. It should be readilyappreciated, however, that many alternatives in the definition,boundaries and structure of the software modules used to accomplish thecapabilities and functionality of the present invention could beutilized in accordance with the present invention.

Returning again to the overall software architecture of one embodimentof the present invention as depicted in FIG. 3, the general modules ofthe architecture of one embodiment are described in greater detailbelow. The description of the Process Manager and the method and processof the present invention is below, followed by further description ofthe other software architecture modules of one embodiment, and later adescription of a set of representations that provide the method andprocess to the user in one embodiment.

Process Manager: Method and Process

Returning again to FIG. 3, the process manager 300 or similar modulesfacilitate the archetype process. Referring to FIG. 3A, the processmanager (blocks 300, 400 and further detailed in additional charts usingthe 500's series) evaluates the user event (block 302) and accordinglyprovides a response to the user that facilitates the method and processof the present invention, whether to change the view through the viewmanager (block 205), provide a suggestion to the user through theprocess manager suggestor (block 390), provide and allow the user toselect among process portions being provided in the present view (block405), whether the user chooses to access process portions such asassistance tools or others, (block 410), or to create or modify an ITKCcomponent (block 420), create or modify a link through the linkagemanager (block 600) or access external electronic information sources(block 800). The process manager further evaluates the user event (block302) and the status of the ITKC components and structure (block 320),and determines if suggestions are warranted (block 370) based on anumber of evaluation and inference approaches, including the archetypeprocess and structure (block 3000) described in further detail below. Inconjunction with the guiding nature of the design of the representationsand views provided by the present invention, the process manager thusfacilitates a guided process for the user which emulates the thinkingand working methods used by expert problem solvers with regard toarbitrary problems and inquiry based projects and responds to user'sactions throughout the course of the project. In one preferredembodiment, the user has the choice of (i) ignoring the suggestion(s)made by the process manager, (ii) acting on the specific suggestion, or(iii) saving the suggestion for future consideration.

The portions of the archetype process can be used individually, as atotal set, or in any subset combination, depending upon the user's needsfor a particular project. Portions of the integrated construct methodand process include the following major components that are shown inFIG. 5. In one embodiment, the method and process provided by thearchetype process generally include the following thinking and workingfunctions: (i) project initiation as indicated by block 510; (ii)definition of project goals and problem as indicated by block 520; (iii)definition of and revision of project structures, being structures forthinking and working as indicated by block 540; (iv) determining andrevising a project plan and to do list as indicated by block 535; (v)evaluating progress and deciding what thinking and knowledge work to donext, as indicated in block 550; (vi) selecting the appropriate subsetfor thinking and working, as indicated in block 555; (vii) conductingresearch and gathering information, as indicated in block 560; (viii)organizing information, especially through constructing, formattingand/or acquiring information for information constructs to be includedin the integrated construct for the project as indicated by block 562:(ix) developing and associating analyses to the project, and definingand constructing analysis constructs to be included in the integratedconstruct for the project as indicated by block 564; (x) developingconclusions and meaning, especially through defining and constructingthe set of meaning statements to be included in the integrated constructas indicated by block 570; (xi) developing and constructing the overallanswer or summary set or portion of the integrated construct for theproject as indicated by block 580; (xii) evaluating whether the answeror summary set is complete, and has met the goals and answered or solvedthe original problem as indicated by block 585; and (xiii) creating andformatting the presentational version of the project results, asindicated by block 590. Throughout process portions (i) to (xiii), thelinkage manager defines and manages linkages among and between thecomponents of the integrated construct, as described more fully in thediscussion of the linkage manager (as indicated by block 600 on FIG. 3A)below.

FIG. 5 depicts example navigation paths that generally may be providedbetween the major method and process work portions of the archetypeprocess. Referring to FIG. 5, the process in one embodiment ispreferably modular and generally enables multiple starting or entrypoints, and flexible iteration or mobility between the intermediateprocess portions within general guiding approaches facilitated by thearchetype process. In a preferred embodiment, the archetype providesguidance to the user according to approaches preferred by expert problemsolvers, but also generally enable navigation between many of theprocess portions. In a preferred embodiment, the ability to navigate toportions of process which are deemed less immediately related to thecurrent process portion for the user are made available in less easilyvisible or accessible ways, such as through the use of a drop down menu,or visually depicted in a more removed location, as described more fullyin the view description, as one means to help guide the user along thepreferred navigational paths. The system generally also provides theability to move between levels of detail within and between the processsteps, as described herein. It should be appreciated that the method andprocess functions may be performed at additional points in the overallprocess in accordance with the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, portions of the archetype process and methodsmay be provided and differentiated to the user in several ways,including but not limited to: (i) through the view which is presentedand which may focus the user on a portion of the process or a specifictype of thinking and knowledge work they have selected or has beensuggested by the process manager, based on the archetype process orarchetype structure, that needs to be done; (ii) through the set ofinterrelated views which are presented and which provide to the useraccess to portions of process and/or methods in useful combinations withportions of the content and structure of the integrated construct, asdescribed more fully below (iii) through the overall visual map oroverview of the project that is provided by the system and which helpsindicate to the user the degree of completeness and which types ofthinking or problem solving approaches have been used or accessed vs.those which have not been used or accessed, (iv) direct suggestions tothe user, as described more fully below, and others. In one embodiment,some portions of process and methods may be encapsulated and presentedto the user as a software “tool,” or subset of method and functionality,as in a tool to construct new information constructs, a tool toconstruct new analysis constructs, a tool to provide help andsuggestions regarding the selection and construction of the topic set.It should be readily appreciated that providing the same functionalityin different encapsulations or boundaries for such logic is inaccordance with the present invention.

Process Manager Guidance of User Interaction and ITKC Development

The preferred embodiment provides an approach to guiding the thinkingand knowledge activities for a user to develop their thinking about anarbitrary problem through evaluating the user's actions and progress,and determining suggestions based on the archetype structure andarchetype process. The present invention's visual depiction of thearchetype project structure (representing content, structure,relationships, and thinking and working process) and the more detailedthinking modes or views provided by the present invention provideongoing guidance and feedback to the user regarding the portions ofthinking process they have done and should consider doing, as describedmore fully below. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3B, the process managerevaluates the user event (block 302), tracks the user event (block 304)to update the user history (block 330) and determines the process stepand work underway by the user by evaluating the event, block 306. Theprocess manager suggestor then determines if there are identifiableprocess gaps or lapses that have occurred (and especially changed withthe last user event) by applying the archetype process rules in block3100, to the current user event and situation. Specifically, the processmanager may evaluate the specific working views being used by the user,the assistance tools being accessed, and the amount of interaction andtime being spent in various regions or subsets of their ITKC. Suchevaluation might determine, for example, that the user has not beenfocusing on the problem according to a subtopic specific view yet, or isusing the question help tool but without results. Referring further toblock 310 in FIG. 3B, the archetype process inference rules are alsoused as the basis for determining suggestions that might be made toassist the user, in areas that are not strictly gaps or lapses, butrather point out possible next steps.

Continuing with FIG. 3B, the process manager in a preferred embodimentalso evaluates the ITKC under construction by the user (block 320 anddescribed in further detail below), based on the archetype structureinference engine, and any suggestions so determined are combined withthose defined based on the archetype process evaluation and inferences,as shown in step 370. In a preferred embodiment, the system also checksfor secondary or combination impacts based on the two sources ofevaluation and both archetype process and archetype structure. Forexample, if the archetype structure evaluation determines that the userhas primarily been building meaning statements but they are not wellsupported by information or analysis, then the archetype process mayneed to also determine whether they have in fact been searchingelectronic sources yet. In a preferred embodiment, after suggestions areappropriately combined as indicated in block 370 in FIG. 3B, then theprocess manager suggestor may optimize the suggestions, as indicated inblock 385 through ordering and prioritizing algorithms that may berelated to the user event that has occurred, the status of the ITKC andother factors. In block 390, the process manager suggestor provides thesuggestions to the view manager and the suggestions are provided to theuser appropriately.

The inferences and rules used by the archetype process and the archetypestructure to identify suggestions for users are different based upon thesystem's assessment of the current stage or phase of the ITKC.

Referring to FIGS. 3B-10, the process by which the user's ITKC isevaluated against the archetype structure is now described. As aconsequence of a user event, the process manager suggestor in block 322FIGS. 3B-10, evaluates the status of the ITKC components and linkages,with regard to the components that have been selected and included bythe user, the level of structure of those components, the amount ofinformation in the components, and their relationship with one another.In FIGS. 3B-10, block 324, the process manager suggestor then appliesthe archetype structure inference and completion rules, in block 3200,in order to identify gaps or lapses in the ITKC the user has built sofar, as indicated in block 324. For example, the process managersuggestor may determine that certain subtopics are as yet withoutinformation, or that some meaning statements are better supported byknowledge constructs than others. Following the identification oflapses, the process manager suggestor similarly applies the archetypestructure inferences and completion rules in order to identifysuggestions that may be made to assist the user, as indicated in block326. Such suggestions may be based not only on the inferences associatedwith the core or macro archetype structure, but significantly onapplying rules based on the actions and selections that have been takenby the user thus far. For example, if a user has identified that theyare working on a sequence in a project, and many of their informationconstructs contain dates, then the archetype structure inferences mayidentify the suggestion that the user try a timeline. In both theapplication of the archetype process and the archetype structure, thepreferred embodiment incorporates a dynamic application of rules andinferences in response to decisions and choices made by the user (orchoices made by another user such as a teacher, as defined elsewhereherein). These customized or dynamically applied inferences aretherefore in addition to inferences and rules that may apply throughoutthe course of the project.

Continuing with FIGS. 3B-10, the process manager suggestor lastly in apreferred embodiment will search and evaluate relevant fields of theITKC, preferably beginning with those that have most recently changedand the fields that are most closely related to those changed fields, asindicated in block 330. In one embodiment, the process manager suggestorsearches for content specific matches to a set of archetype structureinferences that are content based. For example, the process suggestormanager may search topic fields for phrases that the archetype structureidentifies as having relationships to other archetype components.Specific examples are described below. As with the other archetypeevaluations, as shown in block 332, in this embodiment, if the processmanager suggestor identifies matches to encoded relationships, then thearchetype structure inferences in block 3200 will identify a potentialsuggestion to be made to the user. For example, if the topic the userhas entered is “What caused the development of the Constitution?”, theprocess manager suggestor might suggest the user consider a timeline. Aswith the other archetype suggestions, the process manager then combinessuggestions or lapses determined through content evaluation with thosedetermined about structure through the archetype structure evaluation,as indicated in block 334.

In one embodiment, suggestions determined by the process manager mayinclude but not be limited to suggestions regarding: 1.) specific typesof components or advances in components the user may want to consideradding next; 2) other views and therefore other thinking or work focithat the user may want to select next; 3.) one or more informationconstructs, analysis constructs, topics/questions, meaning statements,or answer(s) which the user may want to revisit and review, 3.) linkagesor relationships which the user may want to add, revisit and review; 4.)specific activities that the user may want to consider next, such asadditional research, revisiting and revising their questions/topics,reviewing data they have collected so far, and others. In one embodimentof the present invention, the user is also able to add their own generalrules or principles regarding the process they believe works best forthem, in one example as thinking prompters, as described below.

In a preferred embodiment, the Process Manager may utilize a number ofapproaches to accomplish these evaluations and determine if one or moresuggestions should be made to the user. It should be readily appreciatedthat an approach for determining guidance that may be useful in one typeof ITKC component or thinking and knowledge activity may be employed inother types of components or activities as well. Further examples oftypes of inferences that may be made by the process manager suggestor inone embodiment may include the following:

1.) The process manager may determine suggestions based on comparing theexistence, number, and linkages of components of the ITKC constructed bythe user to those expected or desired for the archetype or exemplarystructure. For example, an exemplary project may be expected to havemeaning statements that are supported by one or more knowledgeconstructs (whether analysis constructs, information constructs, orunformatted information). In this embodiment, a meaning statement thathas no knowledge construct support linked to it at the time may beevaluated by the process manager as an indication of work yet to be doneby the user. Additional examples of such gaps between an exemplaryproject and a project as completed by the user may include items suchas: topics that have little or no information or knowledge linked tothem, and others. In this embodiment, the present invention's definitionof the exemplary or archetype taxonomy of a inquiry based projectprovides a basis for gap analysis to the ITKC being developed by theuser that would not be possible without such an archetype.

2.) The process manager suggestor may evaluate the user event history.For example, if most user events have been occurring in the research anddata gathering regions of the system, or if the user has focusedprimarily on a topic by topic view and has not yet looked at the meaningthat has been developing, the present invention may suggest the user “goto” the complementary or so far little used views or regions next. Inone embodiment of the invention, the process manager provides a usersuch as a teacher with the ability to set parameters for how muchemphasis the student should place on different thinking and knowledgeactivities and views, or how much time is to be spent accordingly, asdiscussed elsewhere herein.

3.) In one embodiment, the process manager may determine suggestionsbased on evaluating information entered by the user into the ITKC, anduse of project component and relationship rules. For example, in oneembodiment, the present invention may evaluate the text entered by theuser into the main topic structure (for example, “What caused thedevelopment of the Constitution?” and may suggest a subtopic “Whatevents led up to the Constitution?”

4.) In one embodiment, the process manager may determine suggestionsbased on identifying patterns within similar types of constructs. In oneembodiment, the process manager may for example, examine and use theoccurrence of patterns such as the same phrase multiple times inunstructured data notes as the basis to suggest to the user to create aninformation construct or grouping of the unstructured information forthat phrase.

5.) Referring to block 350, in one embodiment, the process manager maydetermine suggestions for transitive relationships between informationconstructs, meaning statements, and any ITKC component which may be sologically related. For example, if information construct A has beendesignated through a labeled link as “like” another informationconstruct B, and information construct B has been similarly designatedby the user as “like” a third information construct C, then the processmanager may prompt the user whether information construct A is also“like” information construct C. Such labeled links may also be used bythe process manager to suggest other components to the user.

6.) Providing of thinking and working prompts or suggestions that arerelated to the specific portion of work being conducted by the user. Forexample, in one embodiment, the present invention preferably includes aset of thinking prompts for each analysis construct provided by theinvention, to assist the user in making meaning from the analysisconstruct. For example, the timeline might include the availability ofthinking prompters like “What things were going on at the same time?” Inone embodiment of the present invention, a user is able to add their ownthinking prompts to components or views for future use.

It should be appreciated that the fact that the present inventionprovides a common taxonomy for components and structure of an ITKC,together with a modular but guided thinking and working process, inconjunction with the use of semantic and other methods readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art, may be used to provide a richset of suggesting abilities in the present invention. It should also beappreciated that such evaluating and guiding approaches may be used incombination with one another, and that the addition of similar types ofinference and suggesting abilities does not depart from the scope andintent of the present invention.

Returning to FIG. 3B, block 304, in one embodiment, the process managertracks and evaluates actions taken by the user, and updates the historyof user events as indicated in block 330. In one embodiment, the userevent history may include some, all or any of the following: the useractions taken (which may be measured both in terms of interactions andin terms of time spent), the view and/or component the user had activein their display at the time those actions were taken, the recenthistory of any suggestions that may have been offered by the processmanager, the user response to such suggestions, the status of theintegrated construct content and linkages at the time, and otherrelevant tracking data. As the integrated construct is likely to beconstructed during multiple use sessions, the user event history mayalso differentiate such user history for specific use sessions,including the tracking of date and time spent by the user. In oneembodiment, the user event history tracks time duration between specificactions, as well as time spent on each view and/or component. In oneembodiment, changes in the content of the integrated construct are alsotracked as part of the user history. It should be appreciated that anyaction and change made with regard to user actions and/or the content,linkages or structure of the integrated construct may be tracked,evaluated, applied against project completion rules, and subsequentlymade available for reporting and review in accordance with the presentinvention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the process manager stores“snapshots” of the integrated construct as part of the project userhistory. For example, a “snapshot” of the integrated construct—includingits content, structure, and linkages—may be taken and stored at the endof each use session. In an alternative embodiment, the project assigner(such as a teacher) or the user may select how often and under whatcircumstances they wish to “snapshot” their integrated construct. Forexample, a teacher may want the integrated construct “snapshot” viewtaken every half hour or every hour during the student's project. Theability to compile and store a “snapshot” of the integrated construct ismade meaningful at least in part because the component types of theintegrated construct differentiate thinking and knowledge content andactivity types. In one embodiment, the series of “snapshots” of theintegrated construct provide another mechanism by which the thinking andwork processes used in the completion of a project may be tracked,mapped, and made available for further consideration of how the userworks or should work best.

In this manner, the Process Manager acts as an expert system componentof the present invention, orchestrating a dialogue and providingsuggestions to the user about the generalized inquiry project andproblem solving process.

The following generally describes a course activity through the methodand process of the present invention, as facilitated by the archetypeprocess. This method and process description provides a delineation offunctionality generally provided by the present invention, inconjunction with the views and representations which are the primarymechanisms for delivering the functionality, which are described infurther detail later. The following description of the steps or portionsof the method and process components of the present invention isprovided in a logically linear fashion. However, it should beappreciated that one advantage of the present invention is that the usercan navigate across and between the portions of the method and processflexibly, and through a plurality of paths, as indicated above withrespect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, within the guided approaches providedby the representations and process manager suggestions and otherapproaches, as described elsewhere herein.

In the following description, the terms “project” and “integratedconstruct” may be used interchangeably.

Method and Process: Project Initiation and Defining Integrated ConstructTitle or Label

Referring to FIG. 5, specifically block 510, in order to use the methodand process of the present invention and initiate an integratedconstruct, the present invention may prompt the user for the user nameor identifier. If the user has previously defined a user name oridentifier in the system, the user may type in the name or identifier,and is subsequently asked for their password in order to access thesystem and any previously created or saved files. If the user has neverset up a user name or identifier before, or wishes to define a separateuser account for any reason, then the system may provide a function toenter a new user name or identifier and password for a new account. Themethods and technical approaches for implementing such a “sign on” canbe conventional. Similarly, any suitable approach which provides for theidentification and recognition of users and their associated integratedconstructs in a manner which provides protection (when desired) andaccess to the integrated constructs previously created by any user, andwhich subsequently facilitates the use of the method and system of thepresent invention may be employed in accordance with the presentinvention.

In one embodiment, once a user has successfully entered the system, thepresent invention may prompt the user with a number of optionalfunctions such as: (i) creating a new project/integrated construct; (ii)reviewing and/or subsequently editing an existing project/integratedconstruct; or (iii) reviewing integrated constructs saved for access bythe user but originally created by other users, and others. In oneembodiment of the present invention, suitable presentational indicationsmay be made for the integrated constructs or projects that are currentlyunder construction as well as those that are completed. In anotherembodiment, projects already completed may be grouped or categorized andsubsequently labeled.

In one embodiment, an integrated construct is generally initiated uponthe assignment of a title, label or other unique identifier for theproject. If the user enters a title label that has been enteredpreviously, the present invention may identify the previously enteredintegrated construct and prompt the user whether to overwrite thepreviously existing project, or provide a different title label tocreate a new project. Similarly, if the main topic statement that isentered is identical to a main topic previously created, the presentinvention may identify the previously created main topic and prompts theuser with a number of options such as the option to: (i) overwrite thepreviously created integrated construct and main topic; (ii) create anew integrated construct with the same main topic; and (iii) create anew integrated construct and a new main topic. Selection of theseoptions, prompted by the process manager and displayed by the viewmanager, is accomplished more specifically through the user interactionmechanisms described in greater detail in other sections herein.

Upon entering a title or label for the new integrated construct, aunique reference for a new integrated construct is preferably created,and can subsequently be displayed or depicted according to therepresentational approaches described more fully herein. Accessattributed to this unique identifier includes the underlying content andstructure of the new integrated construct in its respective stage ofcompletion, including any linkages among or between the components ofthe integrated construct, and the appropriate representation thereof. Ina preferred embodiment, representation of a newly created integratedconstruct may include delineation of regions or components of theintegrated construct which have been created or which are inferred asneeded by the present invention based on the archetype structure and/orarchetype process but are in the project's earliest stages void ofcontent, but may still be visible and accessible to the user (asdescribed elsewhere herein).

In one embodiment, as for a teacher's user, the present invention mayalso allow a user to define guidelines or parameters for the project,which may include but not be limited to items such as the number ofspecific components (such as topics, information constructs, analysisconstructs, etc.), the types of specific components (such as types ofinformation constructs, for example), the characteristics of specificcomponents (such as formatted vs. unformatted, or including certainfields, or having at least a certain number of levels, for example), andother characteristics. In addition to such parameters, a preferredembodiment allows another user, such as a teacher, to provide contentspecific starting points for the ITKC, and the setting of rules for thearchetype process or structure.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a user has the ability tomake only portions of the method and process and integrated constructavailable for a project, as might be done by a teacher in order to teachcertain thinking or knowledge related skills to students, or as might bedone for simple projects. For example, a teacher or other projectassigner may wish to have students or other users focus only on portionsof the total method and process and capabilities of the presentinvention. In a preferred embodiment, the project assigner can set upparameters that are later available to the project participant or user,such as project goals, project start date, project end date, and thelike. Also in a preferred embodiment, the project assigner may also“turn on” or “turn off” various parts of the archetype for the durationof the project assignment. For example, a teacher may want students tocreate only a timeline in a particular project as their analysisconstruct. One preferred embodiment of the present invention includes anelectronic, searchable list of all state educational standards for useby teachers in assigning projects. It should be appreciated that anumber of different approaches may be used to structure and assign theproject without departing from the scope of the present invention. FIG.5A indicates the input that a teacher or other source may have on theparameters and initial content for an ITKC in block 5000.

Method and Process: Definition of Project Goals and Project Problem

Referring to FIG. 5, specifically block 520, the archetype process in apreferred embodiment facilitates the user in defining and revising theproject goals and problem or topic definition for the project, asdetailed more fully in FIG. 5A. Referring to FIG. 5A, block 521, in apreferred embodiment, the process manager facilitates the userpreferably in further defining the project by entering a main problem ortopic (for example, in an educational setting, the main topic or problemmight be “What caused the development of the Constitution?”), which canbe in the form of a topic statement, a problem statement, a question, asubject, an issue, or any suitable definition of an area of interest forthe user as noted in the definition of the integrated constructcomponents discussed above. The main topic may be in any suitable mediaform. Referring to block 524 in FIG. 5A, subsequent to the creation of atitle or label and main topic for the integrated construct, the processmanager, together with the view manager, provides for choice by theuser, as indicated. If the user is ready to proceed with definingsubtopics, (or sub-problem statements, sub-questions, sub-subjects,sub-issues or any other subdivision categorization of the area ofinterest) in the integrated construct, the user may choose to proceedwith the process outlined below. For example, for the main topic “Whatcaused the Constitution?”, the user might define subtopics like “Whocreated the Constitution?”, “What is the Constitution?”, “What eventsled up to the development of the Constitution?” or others, in oneembodiment according to the process set forth below. If not, thedefinition of the problem ends. In addition, in a preferred embodiment,the process manager may provide at the same time for the user todocument or enter notes, drawings or graphics or other media as theirinitial thoughts on knowledge and information. In one embodiment, theseunstructured workspaces are labeled to be attributed to starting viewson current knowledge of the user, and starting views on needs foradditional knowledge or analysis. Referring to block 542 in FIG. 5A, theprocess manager in one embodiment also provides for the rapid abilityfor the user to indicate that other project structures are to beincluded in the project (for example, if the user in defining subtopicsor the main topic determines that a timeline is appropriate to use intheir project, they can select one in block 542, and it is createdaccording to block 540 as an “empty” knowledge construct for futurework). As defined elsewhere in this document, in one embodiment, theprocess manager may also make such suggestions to the user both withregard to specific subtopics, other project structures that should beincluded, and others. Subsequent to the creation of a title or label andmain topic for the integrated construct, the process manager of thepresent invention may preferably provide four additional options to theuser, which include but may not be limited to (as described in furtherdetail below): (a) to enter initial comments or a drawing into the mainanswer or summary view component of the integrated construct; (b (d) tonavigate to and proceed with functions associated with the project planand to do's list. However, the method and process provide for thenavigation to and choice of other components of the method, process, andassociated integrated construct components if desired by the user,although the archetype process and navigational paths encourage the userin the more closely related activities as described here.

Referring to FIG. 5A, if the user selects the option to entersubdivisions or other elaboration of the main topic, the process managerin block 525 may provide options including the following: (i) creatingfields for and entering information into a plurality of subdivisions ofthe main topic, and subdividing and linking them appropriately in acustomized fashion directly; and/or (ii) use of the topic/question helpassistance portion or tool as indicated in block 526 (and which is asubset of the total process manager suggestion capability as definedmore fully elsewhere herein) which is available to assist users indefining and revising the topic set, in order to define subdivisions orfurther elaboration of the main topic and subsequent subtopics. In apreferred embodiment, subtopics may be entered as text statements, andmay also take the form of a drawing, image or any other standard orsuitable information form, with or without the inclusion of additionaltext annotation. Using the link manager, links and associations betweenand across levels and individual subtopics may be created, including butnot limited to the level and relationship of the subtopics to the maintopic and to each other. In a preferred embodiment, multiple levels ofsubtopics can be entered and appropriately linked.

FIG. 5B illustrates a flow chart for transactions associated with oneembodiment of an additional topic/question assistance method and processportion or tool provided by as one portion of suggestions by the processmanager suggestor in one preferred embodiment. As illustrated in FIG.5B, in one embodiment, the present invention may display through theview manager the highest level of optional topic/question approachchoices to the user available for such topic set assistance in block5262 (such as by problem type, by academic subject, and others). In oneembodiment, choosing a category or choice will generally lead to theability to review samples of topics and topic structures and potentialselection of the components of the sample topic structures for the userto associate with or input into the integrated construct, as describedmore fully below.

The following discussion refers to FIG. 5B unless otherwise noted. Asshown in block 5264, he user may be presented with categories or classesof model topics, questions or problem statements for selection (forexample, classes of subjects). An example of these topic/questionapproach choices or categories is shown generally in FIGS. 5B-10,depicted in outline form. Upon the selection of the desired category bythe user, shown in block 5265, the process and system in one embodimentmay also present subcategories that are available to the user related tothe category that has been chosen. An example of the use of suchsubcategories is shown in FIGS. 5B-20. It should be appreciated that aplurality of levels of categories could be so used and be in accordancewith the invention. In a preferred embodiment, as described elsewhere,herein, the process manager may also “jump” to a suggested question ortopic, either through navigating the user directly to a lower levelchoice, or by presenting the subtopic suggestion to the user directly,or others. Continuing with FIG. 5B, block 5266, following the selectionby the user of a subcategory, in one embodiment, the topic/questionassistance portion or tool may provide a set of model topics orquestions to the user. An example of one embodiment of such model topicsis shown in FIGS. 5B-30, and an additional example embodiment of suchmodel topics is shown in FIGS. 5B-32. Following selection by the user ofa model topic, in block 5268, the topic/question assistance portion ortool may provide a set of model subtopics for the user. One embodimentfor the presentation of model subtopics for the user are shown in FIGS.5B-40. It should be appreciated, however, that modifications to theexact format or appearance of model topics and model questions can bemade in accordance with the present invention. It should further beappreciated that the function of providing topic/question/problemassistance in this manner can be implemented in a variety of differentforms with regard to the information provided at each node of the modelstructures, in text, or in text supplemented with images, drawings,charts, or audio support. It should also be appreciated that althoughthe example provided herein deals with a category, a subcategory, andthen specific model topics, questions, or problem statements associatedwith that subcategory, additional levels of subcategories may beprovided and selected and navigated in a manner similar to the mannerillustrated herein in accordance with the present invention and the roleof the categories, sub-categories and model topics, questions or problemstatements within the larger system as a whole.

Options provided to the user by the process manager from such a displayof model subtopics include, but are not limited to the following: (a)selecting the model topics, questions or problem statements individually(or as sets) “as is” for inclusion within the topic structure of theirintegrated construct (as indicated in block 5269 in FIG. 5B); (b)selecting the model, topics, questions, or problem statements andsubsequently editing those statements as they see fit, according tostandard editing techniques, for inclusion within the topic structure oftheir integrated construct; or (c) proceeding with entering subtopicsdirectly, without referencing or using the model subtopics, questions,or problem statements offered by the system. If the user desires toinclude a model topic (question, problem, subject or issue statement)offered by the topic/question help tool, the user generally indicatestheir “selection” of the model topic. The selected model topic is placedinto or associated with the topic set of the integrated constructcurrently under construction, indicated by block 5269 and the updatemanager block 500. The user is free to either leave the model topic “asis” or edit the model topic as they see fit. The method, process andsystem of the present invention enable the user to review andsubsequently edit their topic structure throughout the course of theirproject as they wish. It should be appreciated that the Process Managerof the present invention may track and respond to actions by the userwith regard to the topic set, such as prompting the user if the userindicates the desire to delete a topic or question that has knowledgeconstructs associated with it, as to whether the user wishes to deletethe associated knowledge constructs as well, or leave them as part ofthe integrated construct, or associate them with a new or alternativetopic or question, and other actions.

FIGS. 4A-10 is an example of topic set for an example project, “Whatcaused the Constitution?”

Referring to FIG. 5 block 535, in one embodiment, the process manager'sfacilitation of a user's or users' definition of a problem or main topicin block 520 results in the creation of a project structure, namely thecreation of a topic set. In a preferred embodiment, the topic set maytherefore be the first project structure of the archetype structure tobe created, and serves as a means to subset the project into meaningfulportions for thinking and knowledge work.

Referring to FIG. 5, block 535, the process manager in one embodimentprovides for the creation of a project plan for the project beinginitiated. As used herein, the project plan may be facilitated by thepresent invention in a number of different forms, from very unstructurednotes and/or drawings, to a more formalized plan for activities that theuser believes needs to be done. In one preferred embodiment, thecreation of any project structures is then indicated in and addedautomatically to the project planning view for the user. In onepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the project plan isavailable to the user throughout the course of the project development.As described further below, in a preferred embodiment, various viewsprompt the user for additional notes regarding items to consider doingnext or in future, or items or additional notes on other questions theyhave defined. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, theprocess manager collects such notes together and provides them to theuser as input to development of a project plan.

In one embodiment, the present invention may provide a number of modelprojects or templates from which the user can select in order tostructure their project initially. Selecting such model projects ortemplates allows for the creation of a skeleton project in a quick startfashion, and may include a plurality of components, such as startingtopics, starting information constructs, starting analysis constructs,skeleton or starting meaning statements or alternative answers, as wellas starting or suggestions for activities. In one embodiment of thiscapability, the present invention may provide suggestions and optionsfor project components and activities in response to the selection ofcharacteristics or goals for the project by the user. In anotherembodiment, the present invention provides for model ITKC's for projectsdepending upon their problem or project type. It should be appreciatedthat the design of the archetype structure and archetype process lendthemselves ready to additional methods of creating starting points forprojects, and that these are within the scope of the present invention.

Referring again to FIG. 5 block 550, the process manager together withthe view manager provides ongoing mechanisms and in some casessuggestions to the user or users regarding evaluating the ITKC'sprogress and the user's actions and deciding what to do next (asdescribed in greater detail elsewhere herein). Such evaluation, togetherwith the ability to easily subset the thinking and knowledge workaccording to approaches and combinations used by expert problem solvers,provide an ongoing ability to develop the thinking and knowledgeassociated with the problem not possible otherwise.

Referring again to FIG. 5, in block 555, the process manager facilitatesand guides the user in selecting the appropriate subset for thinking andworking on the project at various times through the course of theproject's development.

Method and Process: Editing the Integrated Construct

Referring to FIG. 3A, in a preferred embodiment, the process managerprovides the user with the ability to generally review and modify allcomponents that are in existence at that time part of an integratedconstruct. In one embodiment, as described more fully elsewhere herein,the process manager through the view manager may facilitate suchmodification by being selected in a suitable view provided to the userin which they appear. In one embodiment of the present invention, theselection of the integrated construct component occurs through placingthe computer mouse in a position to cause the pointer to appear over theicon or high level representation of the component on therepresentation. In one embodiment, the user then double clicks the iconor high level representation for the integrated construct component, andis presented with access to the detail of the contents, structure,linkages and label for that component. In one embodiment, oneinteraction with regard to a icon or highest level representation of acomponent (such as a double click of a mouse) may present a summary setof information about that component, while a second interaction mayprovide a lower, more detailed level of information about thatcomponent. In another embodiment, a left click on a mouse might presenta summary view of a component while a right click might present alinkage view of that component. Views and representations are describedmore fully in the last section of this document. In this embodiment,elements associated with the selected component are then generallyeditable, through a commonly accepted mechanism for interacting withcomputer software, as long as such elements or the informationconstructs have not previously been designated as “protected. In someinstances, as described elsewhere herein, and indicated by block 370 ofFIG. 3A, the process manager may make specific suggestions to the userrelated to modifying components.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the process manager in a preferred embodimentfacilitates the user in conducting research and gathering information tobe associated with their project and integrated construct (block 560),as well as organizing the data and information (chiefly through thecreation of information constructs) as indicated in block 562, and/ordeveloping or associating analyses with the project and integratedconstructs (chiefly through the creation and association of analysisconstructs) as indicated by block 564.

The functions to conduct research, organize information and create,information constructs and develop analyses and analysis constructs intoor to be associated with the integrated construct, are in a preferredembodiment encouraged and made available from a plurality of differentmethod and process and subset view points within the process and system,as indicated by block 555. In a preferred embodiment, the processmanager may facilitate the user in conducting research and developingknowledge constructs from a number of different thinking foci, includingbut not limited to, for example: while focusing on an individual topicor subtopic, while focusing on the development of the set or aparticular analysis construct, while focusing on a specific meaningstatement, and others. As an example, the process and system facilitatesthe user to gather information through research, and add, edit, ordelete knowledge constructs (i.e., information constructs andinformation elements and/or or analysis constructs) to be associatedwith the integrated construct from the workspace shown on the examplerepresentation layout depicted in FIG. 7A, example embodiment of a 3-Dindividual subtopic view. A specific example of one embodiment of thisindividual subtopic representation view is provided in FIGS. 7A-10.

In one such embodiment, for example, with the topic, problem or questionof interest visibly apparent as shown for example in FIG. 7A, theprocess manager focuses the user on a particular subtopic, andencourages the user to conduct knowledge development activitiesaccordingly, including but not limited to: (i) the user can accesselectronic information sources, as described below, while focusing onthe particular subtopic; (ii) the user can peruse and edit the knowledgeconstructs which are already associated with that topic, problem, orquestion, according to any of a number of commonly accepted editingtechniques and described more fully below; (iii) the can also choose toenter data and information items into a new or an existing knowledgeconstruct, directly and/or from other available electronic informationsources or data provided via networks, including but not limited to theInternet or an Intranet; (iii) the user can choose to create a newknowledge construct to be associated with the particular subtopicselected; and (iv) the user is encouraged by the process manager todevelop meaning statements focused on the subtopic selected at thatpoint in time, and others. These individual knowledge building functionsare described more fully below.

Similarly, as a further example of block 555 in FIG. 5, the processmanager may suggest or the user may choose to work on their integratedconstruct content and to add or edit knowledge constructs from thereference point shown on the example representation illustrated in FIG.7C, an example embodiment of a 3-D individual meaning statementrepresentation or view. The process and system also enable the user toadd or edit knowledge constructs from the reference point of working onan individual information construct or analysis construct and itsassociated content—or an the set of information constructs or analysisconstructs—as also described in a later section.

Method and Process: Direct Entry of Information

Referring back to FIG. 5, as a part of block 560, in one embodiment, thepresent invention facilitates the user directly entering or associatingdata or information items with a component of the integrated constructusing an input device. In one embodiment of the present invention, theinput device is a computer keyboard. However, it should be appreciatedthat the entry of alphanumerical characters, numbers, symbols, drawings,etc. can be similarly achieved through other specific data entrymechanisms in accordance with the present invention (as described hereinregarding user interaction approaches).

In one embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 3A block 302, the system monitorsthe user's position relative to the representation being provided. Whenthe user selects a displayed portion or component of the integratedconstruct, the process manager generally provides the detailed view ofthe selected component or portion, via the view manager. Therepresentation then generally enables the user to enter information intothe fields or entry space as provided for the selected components and/oradjust the format of the information. The information being entered maybe generally in the form of alphanumeric characters, a drawing, orgraphic depiction (in addition to the many forms of information that maybe associated with or entered into the integrated construct as describedabove). Information previously entered and generally associated with theselected integrated construct component generally is subsequently madeavailable for editing, additions, or deletion, as described above. Inone preferred embodiment, he process and system of the present inventionalso allows for the entry by the user of information into a data storagearea which may not be associated with any specific component of theintegrated construct, but rather is to be associated with the integratedconstruct as a whole, primarily in the form of an unstructuredinformation construct. Any information so entered or edited may besubsequently associated with previously or newly created labels ortitles of components or information elements.

Method and Process: Entry of Information From Other Electronic Sources

Referring again to FIG. 5E, block 905, the process manager in onepreferred embodiment facilitates access to and copying of or referencingto information from any source which allows such copying or associatingto be accomplished, and in any suitable media form of electronicinformation. Referring to FIG. 5E, which illustrates the general processfor transactions associated with acquiring information from otherelectronic sources, in one embodiment of the present invention, theprocess manager detects the event of the user selection of the functionto conduct electronic research as indicated in block 905. Alternatively,the user may leave the present invention and independently launch abrowser or open another electronic information source, and the processmanager will facilitate the adding or associating of electronic contentin a manner which is the same in FIG. 5E for steps 910 through 920. Upondetection of the event in block FIG. 5E 905, the process manager maygenerally suspend or otherwise hold the functions of the process andsystem of the present invention underway at that time, and provide theuser with the ability to or otherwise allows the user to either launchthe Internet browser or open the other external electronic informationsource. In one embodiment, the selection of the browser or otherelectronic source is determined by user options associated with projectinitiation and setup (as for example, in the setting of the default orpreferred browser, or the preselection of specific electronic sources,as might be done by a teacher in assigning a project), as indicated inFIG. 5E block 515. In one embodiment, the present invention provides abutton or other suitable device to the user specifically to initiate theuse of other electronic information sources, as indicated in FIG. 5E,block 907. For purposes of illustration, the following descriptionfocuses on the acquisition of information via an Internet browser.However, it should be appreciated that the process for includinginformation from other electronic sources that allow such access and useare accomplished in generally a similar manner.

Continuing with FIG. 5E, in block 908, the process manager may promptthe user with whether the user wishes to automatically enter aparticular subtopic or main topic into the target information source'ssearch field (and this may be specified in advance as part of useroptions block 515, as described above). If such automatic entry isdesired, the process manager sends the subtopic or topic content to theelectronic search field, as indicated by FIG. 5E block 808. If not, inone embodiment, upon launch of an Internet browser (or similar launch oropening of an available electronic information source), the Internetbrowser may be made visible and actionable to the user, along with therepresentation selected at that time of regions and components of theintegrated construct. Access to several functions associated with themethod and process of the present invention are preferably availablegenerally at the same time that perusal of the electronic information asnoted above occurs.

Referring to FIG. 5E, in one embodiment, the process manager or similarmodule monitors inputs from the user concerning placement on thecomputer screen or other display device. In one embodiment, the processmanager may provide to the user the ability to send a transaction ormessage from the present invention to launch an Internet browser orotherwise open or launch another source of electronic information. Inanother embodiment, the process manager tracks the location of the mousepointer or cursor on or in the representation or display, and notifiesthe process manager whether the user is positioned and activated withinthe representation of the present invention, or is currently positionedoutside of the representation of the present invention. In oneembodiment, if the cursor or other display mechanism has left therepresentation of the present invention and is positioned and activatedgenerally on or over the Internet browser or other electronicinformation source shown concurrently as described above, the processmanager generally may complete any transactions currently underway inthe integrated construct system, and may suspend or otherwise holdsactivity within the integrated construct system, and waits until thecursor or other display and interaction mechanism is once againactivated over or in the representation area being taken for display ofthe present invention before initiating further action. The methods forevaluating the position of a cursor, mouse pointer or other similarmarker mechanism relative to a screen or other display device, andmonitoring the interaction of the user with regard to becoming active onor in different areas shown in the representation are well known tothose skilled in the art, and can be accomplished by a plurality ofapproaches in accordance with the present invention. In addition, manyapproaches could accomplish the accessibility of the ITKC to theInternet or similar sources and still be in accordance with the presentinvention.

Once launched or opened, as indicated in FIG. 5E block 910, in oneembodiment, the Internet browser programs or electronic source programsmay generally respond to and control the user's interaction with thebrowser or electronic source program. In one embodiment, as the userviews and interacts with the Internet browser or other similarlyprovided electronic information set, the Internet browser or otherelectronic information programs control and enable the user in searchingfor, finding, and reviewing information of interest. In this embodiment,the ability to copy electronic information in the form of text, images,graphs, videos, or other standard forms is similar to that possiblethrough other widely available and well understood approaches.

One embodiment of adding electronic information to the integratedconstruct with the present invention includes the following: referringto FIG. 5E block 911, using the functions provided by the Internetbrowser of choice, the user uses the mouse pointer, cursor or otherinteraction mechanism to select and highlight a section of text, image,or any other standard form of electronic information within the Internetbrowser or other electronic information source. The user may then usethe functionality readily available in the Internet browser (or manyelectronic information sources today) to copy the selected informationfrom the Internet browser or other electronic information source asindicated in FIG. 5E block 912. The user may then move the cursor orother interaction mechanism from the space that has been allocated forthe representation of the Internet browser (or other electronicinformation source) to the representation space of the presentinvention, as indicated in Figure block 913. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, the user may then provide a reactivation input to theview and/or process manager, as indicated by FIG. 5E block 913, whichmay be a click of the computer mouse to signal the user has selected aposition within the integrated construct representation space.Continuing with this illustration, in FIG. 5E block 915 the processmanager in one embodiment facilitates the user in selecting an availablecomponent of the integrated construct as it exists and is displayed atthat time or the user may select the function to create a new componentof the integrated construct through mechanisms described elsewhereherein. As indicated in FIG. 5E block 916, in one embodiment, the usermay then paste the previously copied information or information elementinto or to be otherwise associated with the selected component of theintegrated construct. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the user maycreate a new component of the integrated construct, as describedelsewhere in this document, and then paste the previously copiedinformation into or to be associated with the newly created component ofthe integrated construct. It should be appreciated that the precisemechanism for accomplishing this copying and pasting can be achievedthrough a plurality of approaches, and that any such suitable mechanismscan be used in accordance with the present invention.

In one embodiment, upon pasting the previously copied electronicinformation into or to be associated with the desired component of theintegrated construct, the process manager is notified by the transactionthat completes the paste that such an entry has occurred. Referring toFIG. 5E block 917, the process manager may in one embodiment generallymonitor that an “entry” has occurred, and prompts the user to enterinformation regarding the source of the electronic information that hasjust been copied. In one embodiment of the present invention, theprocess manager or other similar module may provide the web address thatwas active at the time the information was copied as the starting point.In another embodiment, the process manager may also provide the userthrough the view manager with the ability to enter additionalinformation regarding the source of the copied information. In onepreferred embodiment, such source information is thereafter associatedwith the information that has been so acquired for the integratedconstruct.

In one embodiment, the process manager may provide a field toaccommodate the entry of additional information regarding the title andbibliographic information regarding the information item that has beenentered. In a preferred embodiment, the process manager may also providea field in which the user can enter additional notes about the source.In another embodiment, the process manager may also provide the userwith an ability to evaluate the source used for the information. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the user may also be provided witha number of criteria and the ability to enter a ranking associated witheach of these criteria. In another embodiment of the present invention,the user may also be provided with a field or fields in which to entercomments about their evaluation of the source for the copiedinformation. It should be appreciated that a number of data formats maybe provided to the user with regard to adding information regarding thesource for the copied information in accordance with the presentinvention. When the user has completed the user's desired amount ofentering of information or comments regarding the source used for thecopied information, the user generally enters an input to the processmanager that the user has completed entering the additional informationabout the source for this entry and evaluation session. Referring toFIG. 5E block 919, in a preferred embodiment, the user may then continuewith further information searching and retrieval, or resume otherprocess portions of the present invention.

In one preferred embodiment, the process manager also evaluates theamount of information being copied from an open source and provides awarning to the user when the amount exceeds copyright limits.

Referring to FIG. 5E, as shown in block 110 and block 205, in onepreferred embodiment, throughout the course of searching, locating, andretrieving or copying any desired electronic information, the processmanager provides the ability to the user to change the view which iscurrently displayed by the present invention, as described more fully ina later section of the document.

Method and Process: Creating a New Unformatted Information Construct

Referring to FIG. 5, the process manager and archetype processfacilitates the organizing of information through the definition,population, and revision of information constructs as indicated in block562. Referring to FIG. 5C, which illustrates one embodiment of thecreation of a new information construct. Referring to FIG. 5C, when theuser selects the option to create a new information construct block5621, the process manager or similar module may prompt the user for aname or title to assign to that new information construct as indicatedin block 5622, and provide a field into which the user can enter analphanumeric character string, drawing, or picture to represent thelabel or title to be associated with the information item within theintegrated construct. The entry of information and interaction by theuser may occur using any suitable entry mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment, if the user event is in response to asuggestion that has been made by the process manager, as indicated inblock 5623, then the process manager creates the new informationconstruct as specified by the process manager suggestions, as indicatedin block 5628. In one embodiment, the user is provided the opportunityto accept or decline this new suggested information construct in anadditional verification event.

Continuing with FIG. 5C, if the user event is not the result of responseto a process manager suggestion, in one embodiment, the process managergenerally evaluates that a new label or title has been entered for aninformation construct, and checks to see whether an identical label foran information construct has been created previously, as indicated inblock 5625. If there is a match between a previously created label and anew label for the same class of information construct, the processmanager generally informs the user that an identical match has beenfound, and prompts for whether the user wants to edit the existinginformation construct, overwrite the existing information construct, orchange the label to be assigned to the new information construct, asindicated in block 5627. In this embodiment, if there is no duplicateinformation construct determined by the process manager, the processmanager creates a new information construct, in block 5628 and updatesthe data bases accordingly through the update manager, block 700.

Referring now to FIG. 5D block 5635, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, the process manager may prompt the user, through therepresentation provided by the view manager, for the structure andcontent for the information construct the user desires to create. For anew, unstructured information construct, the process manager facilitatesessentially the same capabilities to the user as described for modifyingan information construct as described below.

Method and Process: Formatting an Information Construct

Referring to FIG. 5D, In one preferred embodiment, the process managerprovides a plurality of types of information constructs available to theuser, including but not limited to the following: People, Places,Things, Media, Ideas, Events, and Issues, available for choice by theuser as indicated in block 5637. In a preferred embodiment, the processmanager also provides the ability for the user to create custom types asindicated by block 5638, allowing the user to create a new category ortype, assign user's own label and provide a description of the type). Ina preferred embodiment, the process manager also provides the user withthe ability to relate information elements to their custom informationconstruct type. In a preferred embodiment, the process manager does notrequire the assignment of type, but provides for information constructsthat are untyped (providing an unstructured note like informationstorage capability). In a preferred embodiment, any informationconstruct custom type created by the user is subsequently available foruse as a type. Upon selection of one of the types of informationconstructs provided, the user may then be presented with severaloptions, including the option to utilize preformatted elements as partof the information construct as indicated in block 5641, create newcustom formatted elements as indicated in block 5642 or the option tostructure the information construct as unformatted, freeform data. Ifthe user chooses to structure the information construct as unformatteddata, the workspace and associated storage provided to the user and tobe associated with the unique information construct label facilitatesthe inclusion of textual characters, drawings, and also for theinsertion or copying and pasting of images, graphs, video, textualcharacters, or drawings as noted in the description of data entry anddata types described elsewhere herein. Referring again to FIG. 5D, theprocess manager also provides the user the ability to enter or changeinformation associated with the information construct, as indicated inblock 5644 and described in further detail herein. An example of oneembodiment of the entry of an unformatted information construct is shownin FIGS. 5D-10. The amount of information allowed to be included andassociated with any information component label will generally vary withthe precise implementation of the present invention, including thecomplexity and scope of the project and integrated construct chosen tobe developed by the user, as well as with regard to the processing powerof the device on which the present invention operates, and therobustness of the data storage and retrieval mechanisms employed. Asstated above, one of the benefits of the present invention is that itprovides thinking and knowledge component structures and formats whichare and can be generally common or similar across very different levelsof complexity of the integrated construct and information, and in theassociated technology employed in any specific implementationcircumstance.

As also generally indicated by block 5639 of FIG. 5D, in the course ofthe user working on their project, the present invention in oneembodiment may also subsequently provide the ability to add or deleteadditional formats to the information elements associated with aninformation construct throughout the use of the method and system. Asmany or as few of the formatted information elements as the user choosescan generally be associated with a particular information construct. Ina preferred embodiment, as indicated in block 5642, the presentinvention provides for the ability of the user to create custominformation elements, with a label and an assigned type, and othercharacteristics. In a preferred embodiment, custom created informationelements are made available to the user for reuse. It should beappreciated that any specific implementation of the present inventionmay make some limiting choices regarding amount of information to beassociated with an information construct, depending upon the processingcapabilities of the technology and data storage and retrieval mechanismsto be used, and the target user audience. For example, in oneeducational embodiment, the amount of information allowed for any oneinformation construct may be limited or otherwise evaluated and flaggedto the user as questionable.

The following is a detailed illustration of one embodiment of thisaspect of the present invention. Upon creating a new informationconstruct (or selecting an existing information construct), in apreferred embodiment, the assignment of a type by the user to theinformation construct may be monitored. Based on the type selected, theuser may be provided with the ability to select among preformattedinformation elements to associate with the information construct beingcreated or edited, as indicated in block 5641. For example, if theinformation construct “James Madison” is identified by the user as beingof the type “Person,” then the preformatted information elementsassociated with the class of information constructs known as “People”may be provided. An example of one embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5D-20,and for a “Person” information construct preformatted informationelements may include for example: birth date, death date, birth place,importance, fun facts, quotes, beliefs, accomplishments, education,family, characteristics, etc. The system may provide the user with theability to select from among these preformatted information elements.Selection of formats for information elements by the user may betracked, and the selected information elements may then be associatedwith the respective information construct label, and made available asdata entry fields to the user. Some of the formatted informationelements may be highly structured, such as birth date and death date.Other formatted information elements may be subsets of informationstorage and work space which will allow the same variety of informationforms as the unformatted information component, but may be designatedunder a sub-label associated with the label for the informationcomponent: for example, “beliefs” may provide a space for informationentry but allows significant freedom by the user in the structure orformat of what information they choose to add or enter.

The present invention therefore may include the provisioning of formatsfor information elements associated with a plurality of categories orclasses of information constructs which may then be provided inrepresentations of the present invention as subsequent data entry andstorage fields. The user may also be provided with the ability to createtheir own classes of information constructs and associated labeled,formatted elements for their later use.

Further referring to FIG. 5D block 5639, the process manager may enablethe user to edit a previously unformatted information construct and addgenerally any or all of the structured formats to the informationelements that may be associated with an information construct. Theoptions and choices available to the user are generally the same orsimilar as those described above.

In one embodiment, if the user selects the option to add formattedelements to an existing information construct, as indicated in block5639. FIG. 5D the present invention may provide the ability for the userto “cut and paste” or “copy and paste” information from the general,unformatted workspace associated with the information construct, or froma different formatted element, and place the information into aformatted information element, whether newly or previously associatedwith the information construct. In another embodiment, the presentinvention may enable the user to highlight or otherwise mark a sectionof information. A highlighted portion may also be associated with aninformation element format. The newly created formatted informationelement is generally then subsequently associated with the informationconstruct and unique information construct's label, as described above.

As an illustration, if an unformatted information construct labeled“George Washington” has been created, and the user subsequently entersor acquires information to be associated with the “George Washington”information construct, the present invention may allow the user to lateradd a structured information element such as “birth date” to the “GeorgeWashington” construct, and associate a portion of the previously enteredinformation with the structured element “birth date.” The informationmay be associated with the structured element “birth date” via a numberof mechanisms which may include but not be limited to methods such as:(i) cutting and pasting information from unstructured data previouslyassociated with the “George Washington” construct through direct entryas described above; (ii) copying and pasting information from otherelectronic sources, as described earlier herein; (iii) highlighting orotherwise marking a section of information and associating it with aformat for an information element; and (iv) copying and pasting orcutting and pasting information from formatted or unformattedinformation elements associated with other integrated constructcomponents created previously by the user.

As a result, in a preferred embodiment, an information constructassociated with a unique label can then be associated with formatted,structured information elements and unformatted information, or acombination of structured and unstructured information. In a preferredembodiment, an information construct can also be associated with eithera great deal of information, and a high number of labeled informationelements, or may exist as being associated with very little informationas little as the label that uniquely identifies it.

Method and Process: Creating a New Analysis Construct

Referring back to FIG. 5, as generally indicated in block 564, themethod and system of the present invention preferably provides for thecreation and editing of analysis constructs as one component type of theoverall integrated construct, specifically as one type of knowledgeconstruct. For example, for the educational project “What caused thedevelopment of the Constitution?”, analysis constructs created by theuser might include a timeline of events leading up to the Constitution'sratification, a comparison of the beliefs of different framers, andothers. (See also description of analysis construct included as part ofthe description of the integrated construct, included herein).

As detailed in the definition of an analysis construct included above,in a preferred embodiment, an analysis construct as implemented by thesystem can include any information media form. In a preferredembodiment, analysis constructs may contain or be associated with atleast one field that may be a common part of all analysis constructssuch as a field for entering observations or comments about the analysisconstruct as a whole. In a preferred embodiment, this observational orcomment field which may be associated with analysis constructs may bealphanumeric, or contain an image, drawing, graphic or other media formas herein described.

In a plurality of representation views of the integrated construct andat a plurality of points in the method and process of the presentinvention, the process manager may provide the user with the ability tocreate new analysis constructs, to view existing analysis constructs,and edit those constructs, as described elsewhere herein.

Referring to FIG. 5F, which illustrates one embodiment of the processfor creating a new analysis construct, the user may select the option tocreate a new analysis construct. If not already provided in therepresentation in use at the time, the process manager may provide alist or other like representation of the analysis constructs and/oranalysis construct types that have been created previously for theintegrated construct or are otherwise made available to the user forinclusion by the present invention. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, the process manager may allow for the presentation of a listof analysis constructs and/or preformatted analysis construct types thathave been created previously for other integrated constructs as well. Asindicated in block 5642 of FIG. 5F, in one embodiment the processmanager may provide the user with a field in which to enter a label ortitle for the new analysis construct. As with the label or title forinformation constructs, in one embodiment, the label or title for ananalysis construct may be a set of alphanumeric characters, a drawing orany other information media form. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the process manager and update manager may also assign aunique numeric identifier to the new analysis construct.

Referring again to FIG. 5F, in one embodiment of the present invention,upon the user entering a title or label for the new analysis construct(block 5644), the contents of the title or label for the new analysisconstruct may be checked for a match against the title of labelsassociated with previously defined analysis constructs (block 5645). Inone embodiment, if the contents of the new analysis construct label ortitle matches with the contents of the label or title for a previouslycreated analysis construct, the user may be prompted with the a numberof options, including but not limited to the following: (i) edit orchange the existing analysis construct referred to by the label or titlethat has been entered (block 5649); (ii) overwrite or replace theexisting analysis construct with the new analysis construct (block5648); or (iii) change the label or title that has been entered for anew analysis construct to a different label or title (block 5644).

As indicated by block 5648, in one preferred embodiment, once the userhas entered a new unique label or title for a new analysis construct,the system generally creates a reference for the new analysis construct.Thereafter, in that embodiment, the label or title of the new analysisconstruct may generally be available to be used as a reference point forseveral functions such as for the user: (i) to access the contentassociated with the new analysis construct and/or its associatedobservational comment field; (ii) to add to, edit or delete the contentassociated with the new analysis construct and/or its observationalcomment field; (iii) to add, delete or edit the relationships betweenthe analysis construct and information constructs, information elementsor unstructured information, and/or (iv) to link the analysis constructto other integrated construct components such as meaning statements andsubtopics, or other such functions.

Method and Process: Adding Structure and Content to a New or ExistingAnalysis Construct

As further generally illustrated in FIG. 5G, once the process managerhas facilitated the user in creating an analysis construct, the methodand system of the present invention provide several ways for the user tostructure or build the analysis construct and add or associate contentto the analysis construct. As indicated in block 5681, if the user eventis in response to a suggestion that has been made by the processmanager, then the process manager in a preferred embodiment may createthe analysis construct structure, as well as add any suggestedinformation constructs or other content, and modify any suggestedlinkages accordingly. In one embodiment, the process manager presentseach of the suggested substeps to the user for confirmation beforeproceeding. Referring again to FIG. 5G, in one preferred embodiment, theprocess manager provides the user with several options for formattingthe structure of the analysis construct. As indicated in block 5663, theprocess manager may provide the user with a set of preformatted analysistypes, indicated in block 5664. In this embodiment, if the user selectsone of the preformatted analysis construct types, the process managerassigns the selected type to the analysis construct, as indicated inblock 5665 and the resulting analysis construct structure in block 5674.The present invention may provide a plurality of analysis constructtypes to the user, which may include but not be limited to a sequencebuilder analysis construct, a timeline analysis construct, a qualitativecomparison and contrast analysis construct, a cycle analysis construct,a freeform drawing and diagramming analysis construct and others. In oneembodiment, the present invention may provide multiple versions or formsof any given analysis construct type.

Referring again to FIG. 5G, in one embodiment of the present invention,the process manager also provides the user with the ability to createcustom analysis constructs, as indicated in block 5667. In oneembodiment, the process manager provides the ability to define abackdrop or visual context for the analysis construct, as indicated inblock 5668, a structure for the inclusion and relationships ofinformation constructs and information elements (block 5669), theinclusion of one, any or all of a set of tools provided by the processmanager (block 5670) as described more fully below, and the assignmentof a label or title to the analysis construct, and if desired, adescription of the analysis construct's characteristics and use. Basedon these selections and actions, in one embodiment, the process managerthen creates a custom analysis construct (block 5672) and may ask theuser whether the user wants to save the format for future use. In oneembodiment, any such saved custom analysis construct is available forfuture use. Referring again to block 5670, the process manager providesin one embodiment for the user to choose to include any or all of anumber of tools as part of their custom analysis construct, includingbut not limited to: (i) a timeline bar tool, which can be placed as partof an analysis construct and provide the ability to set timeframes andintervals and serve as the basis for visual mapping of informationconstructs or data at the appropriate time position for the time dataelement included; (ii) a linking tool, which can be placed as part of acustom analysis construct and provides for the user to define and labellinks between information constructs, information elements, or othervisual or diagramming components; (iii) a drawing and diagramming tool;(iv) a calculating tool, and others.

Continuing with FIG. 5G, block 5673, the process manager thereforecreates the structured analysis construct object as defined by the useror based on a process manager suggestion above.

Referring then to FIG. 5H, block 5675, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, the process manager provides for several options for the userto add information, information constructs, and information elements toan analysis construct. In one embodiment, these options may include butare not limited to the following:; (i), adding or associating links toinformation constructs in block 5676 and/or information elements inblock 5677, to be referenced in or associated with the analysisconstructs, alone or in combination with the other options below; (ii)adding or associating analysis content previously created in otheranalysis software programs which allow the copying and pasting, orreferencing or access to other analysis software programs; and (iii)adding information directly to be associated with the analysis constructor creating new information constructs, in block 5678, and/or (iv)entering or associating information gathered electronically with theanalysis construct, as indicated in block 5679 and described more fullyelsewhere herein.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when a user selects ananalysis construct to add or edit the content associated with thatanalysis construct, the user is presented with a workspace associatedwith the analysis construct. In one embodiment, the analysis constructworkspace generally provides the ability to the user to add alphanumericcharacters, drawing figures and/or graphic representations, as well asinclude or associate images, video or other information forms with theanalysis constructs. The representation of the analysis constructworkspace preferably includes access to the observational comment fieldassociated with the analysis construct, an optional but common fieldacross all analysis constructs. An example of a partially completedanalysis construct of an integrated construct workspace is shown inFIGS. 5H-20.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5H-10, the process manager mayprovide the user the ability to add to or associate with the analysisconstruct references to the information constructs that have beencreated. The result may be a visible representation within the analysisconstruct workspace that such a reference and link has been made. Theuser can generally place these references to information constructs inany position on the analysis construct workspace while still providingfor access to such items as the title of the analysis construct and anyadditional comment fields.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there are at least two typesof links or associations provided for the user to associate informationconstructs to analysis constructs, as illustrated in FIGS. 5D-10included herein and facilitated by the linkage manager. The first typemay include creating a link to/from an analysis construct to/from thelabel or title or representative icon of an information construct as awhole. In this manner, the reference from the analysis construct isconstrued as reference to the entire information construct as a whole,via the reference to the label or title of the information construct. Inone embodiment of the present invention, references between an analysisconstruct and an information construct may be depicted inrepresentations of the present invention by several visual mechanisms,such as by the display of a title, label or icon associated with theinformation construct. A second type of reference between an analysisconstruct and an information construct may include creating a link to ananalysis construct to/from an information element within an informationconstruct. In a preferred embodiment, the linkage manager maintains andprovides the data regarding the contents of the information element andthe title or label or other reference to the information construct withwhich the information element is associated, with both available forinclusion visibly in the analysis construct. It should be appreciatedthat these two links forms are representative of links betweeninformation constructs and analysis constructs, and that additionalforms of links may be provided in accordance with the present invention.

In one preferred embodiment, any information element so referenced,linked or included in or associated with the analysis construct is basedon the content associated with the information construct at the time theanalysis construct is viewed. In this manner, any updating or changes toinformation constructs and their respective elements are automaticallyalso reflected in their representation and reference with regard toanalysis constructs.

Method and Process: Creating a Meaning Statement Set

Referring back to FIG. 5, as generally indicated by block 570, theprocess manager in a preferred embodiment facilitates the user'sdevelopment and revision of a set of thinking structures which comprisethe thinking construct of the integrated construct, and which providemeaningful thinking and working subsets to the user. As describedearlier, in a preferred embodiment, these may include, for example, aset of meaning statements for inclusion with the integrated construct.The set of meaning statements may be void in an integrated construct,may be one or may include a plurality of meaning statements and/orsub-meaning statements. As discussed earlier, in one embodiment, meaningstatements are most likely to be text, but may also be created in theform of a drawing, image, diagram, or other suitable information form.Characteristics of meaning statements are generally discussed in anearlier section.

In the preferred embodiment, meaning statements may be linked to theanswer or summary set, in order to indicate the logical support of theanswer or summary set by some portion of the meaning statements. Inanother preferred embodiment, meaning statements that are linked via thelink manager to the answer or summary set may also include additionaldesignations, such as “supports,” “contradicts” or others.

As shown in FIG. 5, the work process step represented by block 570includes defining, populating or revising a meaning statement set thatcan occur in a plurality of points within the overall process. FIGS.5E-10 depicts an example meaning statement set.

In one embodiment, the process manager encourages the user to create newmeaning statements at key points in the overall process, in a number ofdifferent portions of method and process. For example, the processmanager provides the user with a placeholder for the creation of meaningstatements that acts as a reminder and encourager to do so, in a numberof different portions of the overall archetype process, including butnot limited to: while working on an individual subtopic or topic andconstructing relevant knowledge constructs, while working on the set ofanalysis and/or information constructs, while working on a particularanalysis construct, and others. In one preferred embodiment, the presentinvention facilitates the user in the creation of meaning statements andmeaning statement relationships in several ways, including but notlimited to: (i) through the encouragement and prompting to developmeaning statements while the user is thinking and/or working in anyindividual component or particular subset view; (ii) throughencouragement and prompting to consider and develop meaning statementsand meaning statements relationships as a set across all or asubstantial subset of the rest of the integrated construct components,and through thinking prompts provided by the process suggestor. It is anadvantage of the present invention that the user is also provided aportion of method and process in which the collection of theobservations and meaning statements (associated with analysisconstructs, subtopics, and other meaning statements) are made availableto the user as a set, hiding the underlying data and analysis detailsfrom which the meaning statements were derived, while still making thedetails accessible to the user (through mechanisms described elsewhereherein). It is a further advantage of the present invention that theuser is provided with the ability to quickly and easily access thesupporting (or conflicting) knowledge constructs and the associatedsubtopics, if any, from such a combined meaning statement view.

As discussed elsewhere with respect to the process manager suggestionprocess, in one embodiment, the process manager may access the contentsand/or the labeled and structural relationships across meaningstatements, and provide suggestions to the user. In one embodiment, theprocess manager may evaluate the contents and relationships of meaningstatements and make suggestions regarding reclustering or regroupingmeaning statements, suggestions regarding additional analysis constructsthat may be considered, and/or identify meaning statements that are notwell supported by the knowledge constructs at the time.

Method and Process: Creating an Answer or Summary Set

Referring back to FIG. 5, as generally indicated by block 580, in oneembodiment, the present invention provides the user with the ability toenter or depict an overall answer or summary set for the integratedconstruct and its project. The overall answer or summary set may becreated in a plurality of information media forms, including but notlimited to text, drawings, diagrams, images, graphics, charts, etc.,preferably including at least some text explanation as well. In oneembodiment, the process manager may allow the user to include ananalysis construct as part of the overall answer or summary, preferablyalong with explanatory text.

In one embodiment, the process manager facilitates the user thinkingabout and capturing their initial, developing and eventually finalthoughts regarding what the answer or highest level summaryunderstanding, opinion, or recommendation is for the project. The methodand process step of creating an answer or summary set for the integratedconstruct may be accessed and accomplished by the user at generally anytime after the initiation of the project. In one preferred embodiment,the answer or summary for the integrated construct is linked to the maintopic, issue, question (or other designation by the user of a subjectarea of interest).

In another embodiment, the link between main topic and answer or summaryset is created automatically by the present invention when the userenters any information into the answer or summary set construct. Inanother preferred embodiment, the process manager facilitates andencourages the user to link the answer or summary to meaning statements.In a preferred embodiment, the meaning statements may also be designatedregarding the nature of their relationship to the answer or summary set,including relationships such as “supports,” “contradicts” and others.The answer or summary for the integrated construct may be edited andchanged throughout the development, editing, and viewing of the overallintegrated construct.

From certain representations of the integrated construct (as describedin the representation description below), the user may select the visualarea associated with the answer or summary set for the integratedconstruct. Alternatively, the process manager may suggest that the useraccess the answer or summary set for the integrated construct at variouspoints throughout the overall method and process. For example, if theuser has created a high number of information constructs and/or analysisconstructs and/or observational comments associated with analysisconstructs, but has not yet created an answer or summary set, theprocess manager may suggest that the user try taking a guess at theoverall answer or summary set.

If the user has previously entered or created a portion of content (suchas text, drawing, image, and/or other information media forms) to beassociated with the answer or summary set of the integrated construct,that portion of content is displayed, and is available to the user forediting, additions, or deleting, according to the user interactionmechanisms defined previously in this document. The main topic aspreviously entered or created by the user may also be represented. Ifthe user has not previously entered or created a portion of content tobe associated with the answer or summary of the integrated construct,then the view manager may represent an empty answer or summary componentto the user when this component of the integrated construct isrepresented.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the process manager providesthe user with the option to create more than one answer or summary forthe integrated construct, intended as potential alternative answers orsummaries. In this embodiment, with the current representation of theanswer or summary being represented to the user, the user can choose toadd an additional or alternative answer or summary to be associated withthe integrated construct. If an additional or alternative answer orsummary is so chosen by the user, a second or additional answer orsummary workspace may be provided to be associated subsequently with theintegrated construct. The process manager may also prompt the user tolabel, name, title or number the alternative answers or summary sets.Using the linkage manager, the user may then be provided with theability to develop a second set of links between the alternative answeror summary set and the other components of the integrated construct,such as topics, information constructs, analysis constructs, and/ormeaning statements. The linkage manager generally also allows the userto change links from the topic set, the meaning statement set and anylinked information constructs or analysis constructs to/from thealternative answers or summary sets being developed.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the user is provided withthe option to create and enter their opinion into evaluative fields withthe answer or summary for the integrated construct. These evaluativefields may include a number of annotations for the evaluation ofalternative answer or alternative summary sets, including for examplesuch annotation as “pros” and “cons” for each alternative answer orsummary, and/or a numeric or qualitative rating according to a pluralityof dimensions to indicate the user's degree of satisfaction with any onealternative answer at a point in time. In a preferred embodiment, suchevaluation is accomplished with access also to any goal statements orrequirements or similar descriptions that the user entered as part ofthe problem definition during the course of the project.

In one embodiment, the process manager may provide suggestions regardingthinking prompts to be considered in the development of an answer orsummary statement, based on various inferences, as indicated elsewhereherein. In another embodiment, the process manager may provide a subsetof interactive suggestions for thinking prompts.

Link Manager

Referring to FIG. 3A, block 605, a preferred embodiment of the toolprovides for a Linkage Manager or similar module, for creating,changing, maintaining, and representing multiple links that may bedeveloped among and between selected or generally all of the componentsof the integrated construct. Such links may be simple or complex. Suchlinks may be created or changed by a number of mechanisms, including butnot limited to: (i) a specific user request or action (either inresponse to a suggestion from the process manager or initiated by theuser alone), and (ii) created or suggested automatically by the presentinvention. The links generally represent relationships between differentcomponents of the integrated construct that are user or method andsystem created. The present invention also generally facilitates theselective or continual changing or updating of those links, and theaddition of new links. FIGS. 4A through 4E show an example of links thatmay evolve between and among components of an integrated construct asgenerally provided by the present invention. FIG. 7A is a representationof an example of a linkage view, showing an example of content specificlinks supported and enabled by the archetype process and structure, asdescribed above.

As shown in FIG. 3, the link or linkage manager or similar modulegenerally creates, monitors changes to, maintains and in some casessuggests or automatically creates links between and among the componentsor elements of the components of the integrated construct. In oneembodiment, the link manager generally also creates, tracks, and manageslinks between components of any integrated construct, and otherintegrated constructs or electronic content. For example, the linkmanager provides for the inclusion of a link to a publicly available website on the Internet, associated with a component of an integratedconstruct. In another embodiment, the present invention may also providefor links between multiple integrated constructs or components ofmultiple integrated constructs, components of multiple integratedconstructs, or elements of components of multiple integrated constructs,or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, such integratedconstructs and components and elements of integrated constructs mayreside locally and/or remotely, on the same processor, on differentprocessors, or on geographically dispersed processors.

Links may be created and edited between and among integrated constructcomponents in at least two ways including but not limited to: (i) linkswhich are specified through user actions generally according to theinteraction methods and approaches described above; and (ii) links whichmay be suggested to the user or provided automatically by the method andsystem of the present invention, and which may be available to the userto change or delete if desired, as described below. It should beappreciated that numerous alternative methods or technology approachescan be used to accomplish the creation, tracking, maintenance andrepresentation of links among and between components of the integratedconstruct in accordance with the present invention. In addition, asstated in other portions of this application, it is likely that theoptimal choice for technology and data storage approach, for example,will be dependent upon the complexity of the integrated constructitself, and the volume of the information to be included in thecomponents of the integrated construct.

In the integrated construct of the present invention, links between oramong components may be used to indicate an association or relationshipbetween those components. A plurality of suitable links may be providedin accordance with the present invention. Examples of the types of linksthat may be provided include but are not limited to: (i) hierarchicallinks; (ii) lateral links; and (iii) unspecified links. Each of these isdiscussed further below.

One link type which may be provided by the present invention includeshierarchical relationships, including but not limited to relationshipssuch as (a) higher level and more detailed, or a whole and parts(examples of which include topics, subtopics, and secondary subtopics,or meaning statements and secondary meaning statements); and (b)supportive of or contradicting with (examples of which include answer orsummary and meaning statements, or meaning statements and secondarymeaning statements).

Another link type which may be provided by the present inventionincludes lateral relationships, including but not limited torelationships such as: (a) associative relationships (examples of whichmay include topics and information constructs, topics and analysisconstructs, topics and meaning statements, information constructs andsources); (b) content relationships (examples of which includeinformation elements within an information construct and a particularanalysis construct, meaning statements to meaning statements,information constructs to information constructs, analysis constructs toanalysis constructs); and (c) logic relationships (examples of which mayinclude information constructs to information constructs, meaningstatements to meaning statements, topics to subtopics, subtopics tosubtopics, information constructs to analysis constructs).

A further link type that may be provided by the present invention mayinclude one or more unspecified linking relationships. Similarly, thepresent invention may include the ability to specify that a link islikely to exist between any two components or the contents of anycomponents without specifying the type of link at that time. In oneembodiment of the present invention, this type of link is labeled as“undetermined,” “unknown,” “is related to” or provided any othersuitable or user defined label. In view of the nature of the componentsof the integrated construct, it should be appreciated that any suitablefurther or additional linkage relationships which can be defined amongor between groups of components or individual components (i.e., group togroup, individual to individual, individual to group, and group toindividual) of the integrated construct can be employed in accordancewith the present invention.

In conjunction with specifying that a link exists between or amongdifferent components of an integrated construct, the present inventionmay provide the user with the ability to designate a label or type tothe link. In one embodiment, the specification of the type to beassociated with a link is provided as a field into which a user caninput a text, graphic, or drawing designation as a label for the link.This enables the user to explain why the user believes a relationshipexists and to define the nature of the relationship between two or morecomponents and thus the purpose of the link. This is one of thefunctions that also allows the present invention to track and documentthe user's thinking. The user can subsequently change or add to thelinks or the reasons associated with the links and therefore thislinking assists in enabling the present invention to track and documentthe user's thinking process. The present invention may in one embodimentsave subsequently changed links to track and allow the user and othersto see how the user's thinking process progressed, as it does with otherintegrated construct components. This may allow another person such as(i) a teacher to see the links created by the user and why the usercreated such links, or (ii) a person or team to share their reasoningand thinking in a project with another person or team. Such sharing canhelp the user in refining and developing the user's thinking processes.Such tracking may also provide the user with an ability to review theirown patterns of thinking and linking in the course of completing theirproject.

In another embodiment, the user can specify the nature of any link bythe designation of an arrow-like direction (either direction or atwo-way relationship). In yet another embodiment of the presentinvention, the specification of the type to be associated with a linkmay be accomplished by the present invention providing a menu of linktypes from which to choose. It should be appreciated that there are aplurality of approaches to accomplishing the user's ability to indicatea type or nature of the relationship to be associated with a linkbetween or among components of the integrated construct that could beused in accordance with the present invention.

The present invention provides for some linkages between and amongcomponents of the integrated construct that may be providedautomatically. For example, in one embodiment, the present invention mayprovide for the automatic creation of links between components basedupon the characteristics of the representation or view the user is usingat the time a new component is created. For example, if a user is usinga representation of a specific topic view at the time the user creates anew information construct, then the present invention may automaticallyspecify a link between the information construct and the specific topicthat was the focus of the view at the time of the informationconstruct's creation. Similarly, for example, if a user is using arepresentation of a specific analysis construct at the time that aninformation construct is created, the present invention mayautomatically link the information construct to the analysis constructand suggest to the user that they specify how the information constructis related to the analysis construct, or delete such a recommended link.Such automatic linking makes the process of creating and managingrelationships across project components—which can become verycomplex—significantly easier and more productive for the user.

In yet another example of automatic linkages that may be provided by thepresent invention, the present invention may provide secondaryassociations to the user, based on primary associations. For example, inone embodiment of the present invention, if a component of theintegrated construct “A” has a relationship with another component “B”and component “B” has a relationship with component “C,” then thepresent invention may provide the link “A has a relationship with C” asa suggestion or automatically. The archetype process may also show thissecondary relationship to the user and ask whether the user wants thissecondary relationship to be retained or not.

In the preferred embodiment, such automatically generated or suggestedlinkages do not detract from the ability of the user to then link thenewly created components to other components (or in other views). Byproviding these and other automatic linkages or linkage suggestions,however, the present invention reduces the users effort at creating andmanaging such linkages and increases the probability that meaningfullinkages will be created and maintained. The system may also allow theuser to override any such linkages suggested or created automatically bythe present invention.

View and Representation Manager

Referring now to FIG. 3, one embodiment of the view and representationmanager of block 200 is described and depicted in further detail inflowcharts in FIGS. 3C, 3D-10 and 3C-20. In a preferred embodiment, thepresent invention includes a view and representation manager which isoperable to provide to the user different representations which providethe portions of archetype process, and the associated portions ortotality of the integrated construct, its content, structure, linkagesas it develops. In the description that follows, a distinction isintended between “views” provided by the present invention (beingcombinations of portions of method and process and the content,structure, and linkages of the integrated construct so as to providemeaningful thinking and working sets) and “representations” provided(being the visual and interactive provisioning of the views to the useror users, in a plurality of visual and interactive forms). In thefollowing description, the software module(s) that accomplish thesecapabilities is termed “view and representation manager” but may bereferred to as “view manager” as shorthand in the description thatfollows. Views and representations may be changed in response to userinputs and actions, as described in greater detail below. In oneembodiment, different views or representations may also be suggested bythe process manager to the user, as a means of guiding the user'sthinking and work, based upon the evaluation of the user's current view,activities and content progress in the integrated construct, projectcompletion rules, and other items as described herein.

The views and representations provided by the present invention throughthe view and representation manager generally provide the user withseveral advantages, including but not limited to the following: (i) therepresentations accomplish guidance and feedback to the user byproviding a meaningful subset of their content associated with theirintegrated construct and also the portions of method and process thatthe user is likely to want to use or may want to consider using,according to exemplary project approaches, with those portions ofcontent; (ii) the views represent the user's ITKC and activities invarious ways against the expectations of the archetype process andstructure, to various degrees, as a means of providing coaching andfeedback; (iii) the views and representations enable a user to work onan integrated construct from a plurality of viewpoints with easynavigation between these viewpoints, in a way which allows the user tofollow their own instincts and thoughts regarding what type of thinkingor knowledge work they should pursue next (such as working on anintegrated construct from the perspective of “what questions was Itrying to answer?” and then switching to “what do I think the answermight be?”) without having to do additional work to reconstitute theproject's information; (iv) the present invention provides useful viewsand representation of focused thinking and/or knowledge activitytype—(for example, focusing on the definition of the problem through aset of topics, focusing on analysis, or others), and useful “slices” orother subsets of combinations of the components of the integratedconstruct (such as the “slice” view of a particular subtopic and itsassociated components and method and process) which generally correspondto a natural thinking or knowledge related work process, and in so doingprovide a way of guiding working on a potentially complex integratedconstruct and the archetype process, by subsetting the integratedconstruct and the appropriate portions of method and process intomeaningful thinking and working views; (v) in one preferred embodiment,the views and representations may provide visualization of what nextthinking and work steps are likely to be useful for the user to pursue,through a number of different approaches, such as by placing the visualdepiction of the “visible next views” associated with the related workactivity in proximity or otherwise visible or easily accessible from thecurrent working view for the user, and by depicting gaps to the user;(vi) the views and representations provide a context for work by theuser that in a preferred embodiment may allow the present invention todetermine links that should be made automatically between components ofthe integrated construct, as described more fully in the discussion ofthe linkage manager, and others.

A later section describes examples of the views and representation typeswhich may be provided by the present invention in one or severalembodiments. In the description provided herein, reference is primarilymade to replacing a current in-use view with a different view, primarilyin response to user actions and requests and evaluation and optimizationby the view manager and suggestions by the process manager or similarmodule. However, it should be readily appreciated that allowing a userto have multiple views or representations as provided by the inventionvisible and/or accessible at generally the same time is in accordancewith the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6A, a schematic of some categories of view typesprovided by a preferred embodiment, representations or views provided bythe present invention in one embodiment may for example provide views ofat least these general types, including both global representation andnavigation approaches, and local or focused representation andnavigation approaches. For example, referring to FIG. 6A, in oneembodiment, global views may include but not be limited to: (i) views ofthe total integrated construct, conveyed against archetype expectationsto varying degrees and levels of detail, as indicated by block 80; (ii)views which subset the total ITKC into visually distinctive regionsand/or which may show the level of activity or work conducted and/orcomponents constructed in those regions and/or slices. Examples of localnavigation view types provided by one embodiment may include: (i) viewsof a region, being a similar type of archetype thinking or knowledgework process portion and the associated thinking or knowledge componentsas depicted in blocks 70, 72, 74, 76, and 78 in FIG. 6A (such as a topicset); (ii) views of a slice or subset of the integrated construct andits associated method and process, as indicated by block 82 in FIG. 6A,being a useful, generally filtered or subsetted combination of some ofthe components of the integrated construct and their associated portionsof method and process of the present invention (for example, a meaningstatement and its associated knowledge constructs), (iii) views ofindividual ITKC components, such as an individual information construct,as indicated by block 85 in FIG. 6A, (vi) views of sets of ITKCcomponents, such as a set or sets of information constructs, analysisconstructs, and others. Views and representations of one preferredembodiment are later described more specifically. It should beappreciated that different audiences may desire or respond better tosomewhat different depictions or forms of these views, such as due toage or specific application differences. For example, the specificrendition of the interface for a ten-year-old user in an educationalsetting is likely to differ from the rendition of the interface for anadult problem solver, although the basic functionality may be verysimilar, and the general work steps and associated views may begenerally similar. Given the general purpose nature of the integratedconstruct and its associated method and system, it is further expectedthat new or adjusted forms of representation of the integrated constructcontents and their associated method and process may similarly bedefined in accordance with the present invention.

As described elsewhere herein, the views and representations provided bythe present invention are not dependent upon operating system, hardware,data storage and management mechanisms, nor are they dependent upon thespecific programming techniques employed for their implementation orspecific transactions used to accomplish the representations and theirassociated functionality. The views provided by the present inventionlargely provide the function, value and advantage inherent in thepresent invention largely regardless of the technical approach taken fortheir implementation. It is most likely that the processing capabilitiesof the technology used for implementation may affect the precise formand approach used to represent the view to the user (for example, using3D images in environments with low computer processing power, as opposedto complex, fully functioning 3D rendering of the structure for therepresentation), as opposed to the nature of the view elements, content,and method and process to be used. The representations may also beprovided in a plurality of forms, including but not limited toelectronic display and printed paper or other outputs. Referring to FIG.3C, the view and representation manager monitors user events anddetermines whether the user event indicates a desired change in view, asindicated by block 205. In one embodiment of the present invention, theprimary user interaction device is a computer mouse, which may move acursor or other marker on a computer screen to indicate the location ofthe user's activity, and a keyboard. Alternatively, in this embodiment,the view and representation manager may also monitor the placement andlevel of activity associated with a computer cursor placed in a positionon or within the representation or view using directional or other keyson a computer keyboard. In addition, as described above, a plurality ofuser interaction devices may be used, including but not limited to touchscreens, voice activation, stylus pen, or other interaction mechanisms.Also, as described previously, the display device may be a plurality ofdisplay devices and mechanisms. In one embodiment, indicators to theview manager that a changed view is desired may include the selection bythe user of: a component visible in the current view, subset of acurrent view, visible next view, selection of different level of detail,a different view from the ITKC overview, a different view from a dropdown menu, and others as described elsewhere herein. If no change inview is indicated as shown in block 205 FIG. 3C, no further action istaken.

Referring again to FIG. 3C, the view and representation manager in oneembodiment determines in block 210 whether the user's selection of a newview is in response to a suggestion that has been provided by theprocess manager. If so, the view manager receives input regarding therecommended view parameters in block 215 from the process manager, whichset the parameters for the view manager in block 270 as the basis forlater filtering the contents, structure, linkages and method and processto be provided (block 272), composition of the appropriate view elements(block 275) and view optimization and rendering (block 290). Referringagain to FIG. 3C block 210, in one embodiment, if the view managerdetermines that the changed view is not in response to a suggestion bythe process manager, then the view manager evaluates the user positionand action in block 220 and determines the appropriate new viewparameters in block 265 which then set the parameters for the view inblock 270. The view manager or similar module therefore determines andsubsequently provides the appropriate view parameters to create theappropriate representation of the desired view, including the integratedconstruct content, structure, linkages, and appropriate associatedportion of the method and process to the display or display device. Inone preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process manageror similar module may evaluate the user movements and providesuggestions to the user for next views to try, based on an evaluation ofcurrent user actions together with items such as the status of thecontent and structure of the integrated construct and project completionrules, as described elsewhere herein.

Referring to FIGS. 3C-10, further detail of the logic of the view andrepresentation manager for one embodiment is shown, in order to evaluatethe user position and action (block 220) and determine new viewparameters, block 260. The view manager in block 222 determines thecurrent view parameters, based upon the set of specific view definitionsprovided by the present invention in block 224. In one embodiment,specific view definitions may include but not be limited to some or allof the following: (i) the component types included from the ITKC (suchas topics, information constructs, etc.), (ii) the basis or centralcomponent on which the ITKC components are to be filtered for inclusionin the specific view, (iii) portions of method and process to be madeavailable to the user in the specific view, (iv) subset or level ofdetail to be provided for included components in the specified view, (v)linkages that are to be made visible or available to the user in thespecific view, and (vi) other views which are to be made most closelyavailable or appear to be related to the user in the specified view, andothers, Referring again to FIGS. 3C-10, in one embodiment, the view andrepresentation manager monitors whether the user has selected a nextvisible view (block 225) or used another means to select a differentview, such as a drop down menu (block 226), or changed position within aview (block 227) which warrants a change in the filtering of components,linkages and portions of method and process (block 230) to be includedin the specific view chosen by the user. Continuing with FIGS. 3C-10, inone embodiment the view manager further evaluates whether the user hasindicated a desired change of detail (block 234), which sets the filterparameters in block 240 for level of detail. Continuing with FIGS.3C-10, the view manager evaluates whether the user has indicated achange in representation type (for example, 3 dimensional, 2dimensional, outline and matrix representational types) in block 244 orin representational type form (block 246) as the basis for determiningdisplay parameters to be used for the new view in block 250, from thedisplay options provided by the present invention in block 242.

Referring still to FIGS. 3C-10 block 242, in a preferred embodiment, thepresent invention may provide for the selection of representation typesby the user. Representation types as used herein refer to differenttypes of representation or means of visually depicting a view to a useror group of users, which provide for sets of views which are generallyfunctionally the same, but whose appearance is different in the mannerin which they are represented.

The present invention, through the view manager, may in one embodimentprovide the user with a number of different representation types asoptions for representing and displaying the integrated construct and theassociated method and process portions which are provided by the presentinvention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the user may beprovided with the following options for representation types: (i)three-dimensional representation(s); (ii) an outline or tree-typerepresentation; (iii) two-dimensional representation(s), and (iv) amatrix representation. In addition to personal preferences forrepresentation by different users, it is also likely that the optimalrepresentation type for the specific integrated construct may differ bythe nature, size, and complexity of the integrated construct itself.

Referring again to FIGS. 3C-10, the view and representation manager inone embodiment monitors selection by the user of representation form orshape in block 244. For each representation type provided by the presentinvention, there may be a plurality of specific forms or shapes providedfor choice by the user. In one preferred embodiment, for example, theview manager may provide for the selection of the representation formassociated with a three-dimensional representation, for example, theuser may be provided with a plurality of specific three dimensionalshapes from which to choose the manner in which their particularintegrated construct and the associated method and process will berepresented (examples of which are illustrated in FIGS. 6I-6V). Itshould be appreciated that a plurality of three-dimensional shapes and aplurality of degrees of visual detail in the depiction can be employedin accordance with the present invention. A more detailed explanation ofthe characteristics of shapes that may be optimal for use in athree-dimensional representation of the integrated construct is includedin the description of the specific views set forth in the representationsection below.

Continuing with FIGS. 3C-10, the view and representation manager orsimilar module may monitor the specific view and representation beingdisplayed at a particular point in time, as indicated in block 222. Inone embodiment, the present invention generally provides the user withthe ability to change the specific view and representation beingdisplayed through a number of different interaction mechanisms, whichmay include but not be limited to the following: (i) user movement of aninteraction device to send an input to the view manager or processmanager indicating the selection of a different view which is visiblefor access in the representation of the current view which may be placedas an adjacent view (referred to hereafter as visible next view); (ii)user selection of a component of the integrated construct which isvisible in the current view in order to obtain a more detailed view ofthe content, structure and/or linkages associated with the selectedcomponent; (iii) user selection of a link which is visible in thecurrent representation view; (iv) user selection of an area or subset ofthe overall integrated construct representation, which is associatedwith a specific view; (v) user selection of a view provided through aconventional menu list, and others.

With regard to choice (i), in one embodiment, the availability ofrelated views may be depicted as a part of the representation in currentuse, or indicated or implied by the placement orientation or theintegrated construct, or indicated as available at the boundaries of thescreen or other display device (in the case of more detailed views inwhich the outer boundaries of the integrated construct are not visible).These related views are termed “visible next views” for the purposes ofclarification herein. Referring to FIG. 6D, an example of a visible nextview available from a specific current view block 82 a is shown in FIG.6D block 82 b. More specifically, the view manager may present to theuser both “visible next views” those for which a portion of the view isactually available, as shown in FIG. 6F block 82 a, and also views whichwhile not immediately visible, are implied as available through theirimplied position, such as the implied related next views indicated byblock 82 c in FIG. 6F. Referring to FIG. 6E, examples of visible nextviews and implied next views are indicated for one embodiment of a 2dimensional version of the representation structure.

Returning to the discussion of the 3 dimensional representation,specifically, user selection of such a visible next view may beaccomplished as follows. In one embodiment, while a particularrepresentation is being displayed, the present invention may generallymonitor user actions and inputs. In this embodiment, if the userinteraction device is moved in a way to place the user interactionmarker within or upon an area of the representation view whichrepresents a different, visible next view (or up to a screen boundarythat implies a visible next view), the view manager generally replacesthe current view with the new view so indicated. In one embodiment ofthe present invention, the movement may also be accompanied by anadditional user interaction message, such as a click of the computermouse or other device, in order to verify that the user does indeed wishto move and replace the existing representation view with a differentview.

With regard to choice (ii) above, in one embodiment, within any specificrepresentation, the present invention may generally monitor whether auser selects a specific component that is at that time available in theview. Specifically, in one embodiment, the component of the integratedconstruct may be being displayed as part of a view as an icon, name,title, summary field, or other suitable high level representation. Inone embodiment, the user may select the specific integrated constructcomponent through the use of a computer mouse and a standard doubleclick interaction (for example, the user might select the icon for theperson information construct “James Madison” while working in theindividual subtopic view with which James Madison is associated, such asthe subtopic “Who created the Constitution?”. It should be appreciatedthat many approaches can be used to provide a message from the user tothe view manager and process manager that the user has selected acomponent within a view in accordance with the present invention. In oneembodiment, the view manager responds to the user event of selection ofa component of the integrated construct to indicate a request for a moredetailed view of that component as referenced above in (ii), and thepresent invention may display one, a plurality of or all of thecontents, structure, and linkages associated with the selectedcomponent. In one embodiment of the present invention, this moredetailed representation is provided in a pop-up like additionalrepresentation space or window on the computer screen, in theapproximate position as the high level component that was selected. Inone embodiment of the present invention, the detailed representationspace for the selected component can also be moved and repositioned onthe display area while it is open at any time. In one embodiment, morethan one integrated construct component may be so visible and availableto the user at the same time. Upon selection and displaying a moredetailed representation of any integrated construct component, thecontents and format of the selected component may be added to, changed,deleted, or reformatted as desired by the user, as described further inthe method and process description of the present invention includedherein.

With regard to choice (iii) above, in one embodiment, the user may alsoindicate the selection of a link represented as associated to acomponent of the integrated construct. In this embodiment, the presentinvention may display the component associated with the chosen link,which may not be visible in the current view, and provide the user withthe ability to navigate by selecting the link to a view of thereferenced or linked component, thus changing the component that iscentral to the view.

With regard to choice (iv) above, in one embodiment, the user mayindicate the selection of an area or region of a representation, such asthe topic set region as a whole from the viewpoint of working on onetopic or question. In this embodiment, when the user selects such aregion or other visually distinguishable area, the present invention mayreplace the current view with the view so selected.

With regard to choice (v) above, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, the options available for representation types and specificviews are also made available to the user in one or a number of moreconventional manners, such as through the use of a drop down menu,through the assignment of specific key combinations on the keyboard (acommon convention which is typically targeted at allowing more expertusers to interact with a software program more quickly and directly thanpull down menus with multiple levels of options typically provide) andothers.

The present invention uses a number of approaches to provide visual andprocess feedback to the user as they take actions. Again referring toFIG. 3A, in a preferred embodiment, when the user chooses to add ormodify a component to their integrated construct (such as a newinformation construct) as shown in blocks 420 and 400, the processmanager and update manager may add the components to the integratedconstruct through the update manager block 700, and the view manager maygenerally add the appropriate rendition of that new component to therepresentation view directly following the user action that initiatedthe action, by initiating a changed view, block 205.

Continuing with FIGS. 3C-20, in one embodiment, logic modules tooptimize and render the appropriate representation are shown. In FIGS.3C-20, block 283, the view and representation manager evaluates theintended view elements, including the number of various component typesand/or the completeness of the components, that have been determined tobe included in the intended new view. In one embodiment, eachrepresentation type has a set of “default” view designs or approachesthat are preferred in most cases. Continuing with FIGS. 3C-20, the viewmanager in one embodiment may, as shown in block 284, evaluate theappropriateness of the representation type chosen by the user for thecomplexity, structure, number of components and other factors asevaluated by the present invention in block 283. For example, a highnumber and complex set of topics and subtopics may be better shown in anoutline form for working than in a web like depiction as part of the 3dimensional representation, described in greater detail below. If theview and representation manager identifies a more optimal representationtype, then the suggestion is provided to the view manager, in block 290,and may result in a different user event. Continuing with FIGS. 3C-20,if the user does not wish to change their representation type, or if therepresentation type has not been identified by the present invention assuboptimal, then the view and representation manager in block 286composes and optimizes the representation according to the requirementsof the different representation types, such as 3 dimensional, outline, 2dimensional matrix and more conventional approaches (described morefully elsewhere herein). Based on the representational type and thespecific representation composition, in block 287, in one embodiment,the view manager determines both context graphics and content andfunctional elements for the new view and representation. For example, inone three dimensional embodiment which may be suitable for lowerprocessing environments, the view manager may utilize images, such asJPEG or GIF files, which depict a three dimensional like structure invarious views, as a graphic backdrop against which other actionableelements are added, in order to achieve the appearance and functionalityof a three dimensional representation approach without the processingoverhead associated with a full 3 dimensional rendering, which is analternative 3 dimensional representational approach.

Continuing with FIGS. 3C-20, in one embodiment, as shown in block 288,the view manager then determines the optimal placement and size ofelements and functions to be displayed in the representation. Forexample, in one embodiment of the 3 dimensional representation, a visualarea is defined for the addition of information constructs to a specificsubtopic view. In one embodiment, if less than 12 information constructsare associated with the specified subtopic, then the informationconstructs are shown as icons with labels, spread out evenly in thespace. In another embodiment, the placement of the informationconstructs associated with the specific subtopic may be arrangedaccording to their completeness and complexity of content elements anddata, or according to a rating of importance as indicated by the user.In this same embodiment, if more than 12 information constructs, forexample, are associated with a specific subtopic view, then the presentinvention in block 288 may instead display the information constructs asa scrollable list and potentially as a ranked list, with labels andreduced or non existence icons.

The present invention in one embodiment may use several different visualtechniques to provide visual feedback to the user and thereby encourageappropriate thinking and knowledge behavior. For example, in oneembodiment, if the new component is created and no additionalinformation has been added to the component, the view manager mayrepresent that new component in the appropriate view as present butempty (for example, through the depiction of an empty outline for anicon for an empty person information construct, with a title only), orotherwise lighter or less evident visually than a component withsignificant content. In a similar embodiment, if information issubsequently associated with the new component by the user, then theview manager may display the new component with a visual indication ofno longer being empty. In one embodiment of the present invention, thedistinction between empty (created but not yet used) components andthose with which additional information has been associated isaccomplished through the use of graphic elements which are empty ortransparent and those which are later no longer transparent, or depictedin a darker and more opaque hue. It should be appreciated that aplurality of graphic and visual distinctions may be used to depict therelative completeness of a component or its links that have been addedto the integrated construct in accordance with the present invention.

Continuing with FIGS. 3C-20, in block 283, in one embodiment, the viewmanager may count the number of subtopics, secondary subtopics, meaningstatements, secondary meaning statements, information constructs andanalysis constructs associated with the integrated construct, andcalculate the number of sides, facets, or areas and size and anglesrequired to render and include an appropriately sided polygon in therepresentation. In FIGS. 3C-20, block 287, on one embodiment, the viewmanager may then utilize these counts to provide representations inwhich visual depictions of the integrated construct correspond to thespecific numbers of components in the specific integrated constructbeing represented. In this manner and in these embodiments, the geometryof the representation of any integrated construct in this embodimentwill generally embody the number and levels of components that have beenconstructed by the user to date.

More specifically, in one embodiment of the three dimensionalrepresentation of the present invention, the number of visually evidentsides, facets, surfaces, or areas provided visually for each region(such as the topic set region) defined by the view manager maycorrespond to the number of subtopics or secondary subtopics which theuser has defined at that point in time. In another embodiment, thenumber of sides or visual areas shown for one type of the components mayvary according to the number of higher level components (such asaccording to the number of topics as opposed to subtopics), and depictthe subportions of the component as areas divided into or onto, forexample, the side views, facets, surfaces or areas. In one embodiment,the view and representation manager may similarly provide visualdifferentiation regarding the use of different thinking and work processportions, and the underlying structure and specifically the number ofcomponents of an integrated construct if represented in the outline,two-dimensional or matrix form.

Returning to FIGS. 3C-20, in one embodiment, following determination ofthe appropriate contextual graphics and capabilities in block 287, andthe placement of elements and functions appropriately for the desiredview in block 288, the view and representation manager renders therepresentation view accordingly.

Further details regarding specific views and additional details onrepresentation approaches provided by the present invention aredescribed below. It should also be appreciated that many representationforms can be used to create the functional advantages provided by thispresent invention, and therefore additional representation forms do notdepart from the scope or intention of the present invention as describedherein.

Views and Representations

The present invention provides a set of related views and a plurality ofrepresentation approaches which display portions or the totality of orthe integrated construct (including content, structure and linkages)throughout its lifecycle and enable the associated method and process ofthe present invention to be accessed, viewed and worked upon by the userin appropriate combinations in association with the portions or thetotality of the integrated construct. The present invention's definitionof elements and functions that together comprise the capabilities of theviews and representations, the visual combinations provided, thefeedback provided by these combinations to the user, and theirnavigational relationships to one another, are one manner in which thepresent invention facilitates and guides the user according to exemplarythinking and knowledge approaches for an inquiry based project.

Additional specification of the manner in which views andrepresentations are provided in accordance with the present invention isincluded elsewhere in this document above, such as in the descriptionsof the view and representation manager and of user interaction. In oneembodiment of the invention, the view manager provides for the user tohave more than one view of displayed at the same time.

The contents of the integrated construct may be varied, containing aplurality of components and of linkages between components, as shown inFIG. 4E. It should be appreciated that such linkages can become complexand numerous. The representations provided by the present inventionprovide meaningful overall and subset views of the plurality ofcomponents and relationships between components together with portionsof method and process to be used by the user in the specific view whichmay exist at any point in the completion of a project and creation anddevelopment of an integrated thinking and knowledge construct.

As illustrated generally in FIG. 1D??, in one embodiment, thecombination of views and representations provided by the presentinvention may enable a user to choose to work on the same integratedconstruct from a number of different angles or vantage points, generallywithout having to do additional work to edit, reconstitute, orreorganize the underlying information in order to do so.

In one embodiment, the views and representations provided by the viewmanager may be changed and depicted in order to provide visualrepresentation according to changes in the integrated constructcomponents, content, and linkages, as well as the user's or users'activity and actions in different thinking and knowledge processportions, thereby providing the user with an ongoing depiction of andguidance for the progress in developing the integrated construct for aproject.

The views provided by the present invention generally provide a basisfor stability and familiarity across projects and integrated constructs,as different integrated constructs will in one embodiment have similarview capabilities, which may include such common items as: method andprocess capabilities by general thinking and knowledge type of activity,common generally available method and process and tools, common generaltypes of ITKC components that may be included in or associated with anintegrated construct, and others. In addition, in one embodiment, thegeneral characteristics of the views, regions and subset sections orslices provided by the present invention may be generally the sameacross integrated constructs, providing a familiar context for thinkingand knowledge activities, even though the content provided in thoseviews differ according to the content and structure of differentintegrated constructs and of an integrated construct at the point inwhich it is being represented.

Although general options for method and process, components and viewsavailable are in many embodiments of the present invention generallycommon across different occurrences of integrated constructs,representations of specific projects and integrated constructs arelikely to differ in several key respects, as described in greater detailin other sections herein. For example, the views provided by the presentinvention of different projects and integrated constructs are likely todiffer from one another in the number and complexity of the topic setbeing addressed, in the selection of the components for inclusion withthe particular integrated construct or associated with any portion orspecific component of the ITKC, in the number and completeness ofcomponents included in the integrated construct (such as informationconstructs and analysis constructs), in the number of thinking and workspaces created for various components, in the specific linkages, andothers. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention may employ anumber of different visual and design approaches in views andrepresentations in order to depict and feedback to the user theirprogress so far against the exemplary and/or potential thinking andknowledge activities that may be or are intended to be done, asdescribed elsewhere herein.

For example, in one preferred embodiment, the view and representationmanager may create a representation of the ITKC and its associatedthinking and working areas as a visual skeleton in the earliest steps ofthe user's development of their integrated construct. As the user thenadds components and content to the integrated construct (as describedabove), the view and representation manager changes the representationaccordingly. In one embodiment, for example, early portrayals of theintegrated construct include representations of empty integratedconstruct regions or areas where no user activity has yet occurred, orwhere activity has occurred but no components of that region's or area'stype have been created, or where the user has created “empty”components, and others. In this manner, the representations provided bythe present invention are a visualization of the user's integratedconstruct as it develops as well as its potential for being the basisfor the user to identify additional development that has not yetoccurred. For example, in one embodiment, a topic or question which hasbeen created but which has associated with it as yet no information oranalysis constructs may be shown with empty working areas for theassociation of information constructs and analysis constructs and otherrelated components. At a high level, such a subtopic in one embodimentwould be depicted as existing but empty. In another example, the topicor question area which then had a small amount of information associatedwith its associated. Information constructs or analysis constructs mightbe shown as translucent or pale in color, while the same topic orquestion with a significant amount of information associated with it maybe shown as more opaque and brighter. The intent is to visuallydistinguish progress in the components and regions or areas of theintegrated construct. It should be appreciated that such distinctionscan be accomplished through a variety of mechanisms and not depart fromthe scope and intent of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as indicated in FIGS. 3C-10block 244, the view manager may provide user with the ability torepresent the integrated construct and its associated method and processin a plurality of forms, based on the display options provided in block242, such as the following: (i) three-dimensional representation(s);(ii) outline or tree form for representation(s); (iii) two dimensionalrepresentation(s), and (iv) matrix representation(s). In otherembodiments, the present invention may provide one, some, or all ofthese different representational forms as choices for the user or users.In one embodiment, the user can choose to work on and view theintegrated construct through any of these representations, and the viewelements and associated method and process available to the user behavein generally the same way across the different representation types.Changes in representation type may be triggered to the view manager bythe user through a plurality of selection mechanisms, including but notlimited to use of a conventional drop down menu and others.

Referring again to FIGS. 3C-10, as shown in block 246, the presentinvention in one embodiment may also provide the user the ability tochoose specific representation forms or shapes for a specificrepresentation type. For example, in one 3-D embodiment of therepresentation provided by the present invention, the view manager alsoprovides a choice of the specific shape in which their integratedconstruct will be represented, examples of which are shown for thethree-dimensional representation in FIGS. 6I-6V.

In one embodiment, categories of views provided by the present inventioninclude but are not limited to the following types, depictedschematically in FIG. 6A, each of which may provide feedback to the useron their progress relative to the scope of the view, guidance on relatedthinking and knowledge activities, and navigation access to the user:(i) overall or global views of the integrated construct, allowing theentirety of the integrated construct and/or the entirety of the methodand process of the present invention to be represented (block 80; (ii)views which correspond to regions, thereby showing the set of likeintegrated construct components and method and process, associated witha common type of thinking or knowledge work (as in problem definitionand topic sets, analysis and analysis constructs, etc) (blocks 70, 72,74, 76, 78); (iii) slice or subset views, which provide a view of acollection of related components of an integrated construct and theirassociated method and process, and enable the user to work in meaningfulsubsets across the integrated construct (examples which include theindividual topic view, the individual meaning statement view, andothers) (block 82); and (iv) individual component views (block 85), andothers. Specific examples of these view types for one embodiment of thepresent invention are described in the following section.

Referring to FIG. 3C in block 272, in one embodiment, the view andrepresentation manager filters the total ITKC and its associated methodand process based on parameters set for a new view, as indicated inblock 270. The view manager may therefore create a plurality of viewsand subsets from such filtering. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, some of the views provided by the present invention maygenerally divide the integrated construct into distinctive regions,representative of different kinds of thinking and knowledge work, asshown schematically in FIG. 6A. As shown in FIG. 6, in one embodiment,these regions as represented to users of the present invention generallycombine or relate different aspects of the present invention, such asthese three different items: (i) the portion of the integrated constructcontent and its structure which is associated with a particular region,as representing a particular kind of thinking or knowledge activity(e.g., the region associated with the topics the user has defined); (ii)the portions of method and process of the present invention, which maybe embedded in tools and guidance to assist the user in working on thatportion of the integrated construct, and otherwise provided in the stepsor portions of the method and process which that region is intended toenable; and (iii) the linkages between and among relevant components ofthe integrated construct content.

The present invention may use a number of different approaches todistinguish the different regions or types of thinking and knowledgework within the total representation to the user. For example, in oneembodiment of the present invention, such as in one of thethree-dimensional representations of the integrated construct, regions(types of thinking and knowledge work and their associated content) aredistinguished by the visual distinction of different bounded areaswithin the integrated construct representation. Examples of generalregions being distinguished in a 3-D representation of the presentinvention are shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C. The regions may be furtherdistinguished by color and background depiction or other graphicaldistinctions. In another embodiment of the present invention, theoutline or tree representation form of the integrated construct, theregions may be distinguished by the use of common color and graphiccharacteristics across the components within the region and through theproximity of like components to one another

Referring again to FIG. 3C, filtering of the ITKC contents and structurein block 272 based on parameters for the new view, may also provide aview of subset or “slice” of related components of the integratedconstruct and associated methods and process required or desired to workon that slice. FIG. 6D shows schematically the general relationshipsbetween slice views and regions provided by the present invention.Specifically, referring to FIG. 3C, in one embodiment, the view manageruses the parameters for the new view (block 270) to filter the overallITKC contents, structure, and linkages and available method and processportions, as indicated in block 272. For subset or slice views, in oneembodiment, the view manager may utilize a specific subtopic as thebasis for filtering (for example, the subtopic “Who created theConstitution?”). In this embodiment, the view manager may then filterthe ITKC components, linkages, and structure to select only those thatare associated or have been linked to the subtopic “Who created theConstitution?” (for example, the information constructs James Madisonand George Washington, the analysis construct regarding a comparison ofthe beliefs of the framers, and any associated meaning statements). Theview manager may create such combination subset or slice views for allother components related to the component which is the basis of thefiltering (the subtopic above), and may create subset or slice views forpartial subsets (such as a partial subset or slice view which includesthe subtopic, information constructs, and analysis constructs but whichdoes not make the associated meaning statements visible in theparticular view).

FIG. 7B show one embodiment of the use of regions and subset or sliceviews in a 2 dimensional embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7B, for example,in one embodiment, regions may be implemented as areas accessible bysome structured or otherwise visible map, such as the tab like lookshown in FIG. 7B, with regions indicated by blocks 70, 71, 72, 73, 74,76, and 78, and a mechanism for accessing subsets or slice views shownthrough the use of a navigatable menu or other visible or accessibledevice, as shown in block 82. FIG. 7C shows a 2 dimensional approachwith one embodiment of an individual subtopic view. Similarly, a 2dimensional visual map of progress, associating components to regionsand other indicators for preferred structure and/or process may not beas compelling as 3 dimensional visual feedback, but again couldimplement the same or nearly same functionality. It should beappreciated that although the 2 dimensional embodiment may not have thesame advantages as the preferred 3 dimensional embodiment, it may wellprove the preferred embodiment for some classes of users and/orprojects.

The present invention therefore provides guidance generally enables theuser to move freely between the representational views while utilizingthe corresponding portions of the method and process of the presentinvention. FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of links and navigational pathsbetween views or representations provided by the invention. In addition,the present invention generally provides abilities to short cutnavigational paths through physical manipulation of the representation,and instead navigate directly and quickly to the desired component orview. This short cut navigation may be accomplished through a pluralityof mechanisms such as the use of conventional pull down menus orassigned keys or others in accordance with the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in one embodiment, specific views provided bythe present invention may include but are not limited to the following:(i) topic set overview 702 and if needed topic set drilldown view; (ii)individual topic view and detail views 706; (iii) individual informationconstruct view 710; (iv) individual analysis construct view 720; (vi)information construct set view 715; (vi) analysis construct set view725; (vii) linkage view 780; (viii) topic—meaning statement overlay view770; (ix) meaning statement overview 750; (x) answer or summary view;(xi) integrated construct overall overview 700, and others

In one embodiment of the present invention, the precise layout andappearance of views or representations can differ and still accomplishthe desired workspace creation and relationships to other workspaces toembody the method and process of the present invention effectively forthe user.

Preferably in all view types, the view manager provides the ability forthe user to be shown high level and more detailed depictions of theintegrated construct content, structure, linkages, and associatedportions of method and process. This may be accomplished through aplurality of user interaction mechanisms, including but not limited tosuch mechanisms as clicking “down” into a specific component, in orderto see the details within that components, as well as the ability tozoom in and zoom out on components of the integrated construct and theintegrated construct as a whole. When a three-dimensional representationis being used, the integrated construct representation may also bemanipulated such as rotated, turned, flipped, and otherwise maneuveredin a manner that has been seen to be used in the manipulation ofthree-dimensional renderings of physical objects. This facilitatesfurther visualization of the user's work on the project and also enablesthe user to look at the user's work on the project from different anglesthat may facilitate different thought processes of the user.

In one embodiment, representations or views provided by the presentinvention may employ a combination of visual characteristics including aplurality of elements to provide visual distinction of the specificcharacteristics of an integrated construct and the associated thinkingand knowledge processes, including but not limited to elements such asshape, structures, and color. Distinctions provided about the integratedconstruct may include but not be limited to the following: (i)distinction of types of thinking and/or knowledge work activities andtheir associated content portions; (ii) distinction between regions andsub-regions or portions of method and process that have been used in theintegrated construct versus those that have not yet been used, at thepoint in which the integrated construct is being represented; (iii)distinction of integrated construct components which have been createdor initiated in the particular integrated construct; (iv) distinction ofintegrated construct components which are available for use but have notyet been included or initiated in the particular integrated construct;(v) distinction between regions and integrated construct componentswhich have information associated with them versus those which do notyet have any content or information associated with them (i.e., thosewhich are empty); (vi) distinction of integrated construct componentswhich have greater or lesser amounts of content associated with them atthe point in which the integrated construct is being represented; (vii)distinction between components of the integrated construct which arelinked to other components versus those which are associated with theintegrated construct but are not linked to other components in theintegrated construct; and (viii) distinction of components of anintegrated construct which may be linked to components or the totalityof other integrated constructs; and (ix) distinction of key aspects ofcomponents as being in existence or not, or being lightly completedversus comprehensive.

It should be appreciated that many specific forms or shapes of two andthree-dimensional structures may be used to implement views of theintegrated construct, and they are within the scope of the presentinvention. Examples of shapes which may be used for 3 dimensionalrepresentations in one embodiment are provided in FIGS. 6I through 6V.In one embodiment, shapes that can accommodate the followingcharacteristics are generally likely to be among those with an optimalshape for representation of a 3-D shape for the conveyance of theintegrated construct. For example, in one embodiment, shapes whichgenerally have the following properties may be used most readily toimplement a representation of the integrated construct in the mannerdescribed herein: (i) a manner of distinguishing levels or spaces whichallow for the distinction of different types of thinking and/orknowledge activities; (ii) a way of subdividing or otherwise showing theexistence of different entities within or associated with these levelsor spaces in order to reflect the types and/or numbers of the variousintegrated construct components the user is creating or viewing; (iii)proximity or the ability to achieve proximity or visible linkage betweencomponents which are closely related or need to be visually related inorder to accomplish work steps (and to facilitate a way to show and workwith the plurality of components and links between components of theintegrated construct, and to move between different combination viewsthat are important to work steps in a meaningful way); (iv) proximity orthe ability to otherwise achieve relationships between related views;and (v) a way of providing views and access into the individualcomponents that comprise the content and content relationships of thethinking and knowledge activities.

In one preferred embodiment, referring to FIGS. 3C-20 block 286, theview manager utilizes a visual depiction of a three dimensional,physical-like structure as a key representational mechanism, which mayshow both navigational and therefore thinking and working relationshipsbetween the views, providing navigational access, as well as providingfeedback to the user regarding progress, as defined elsewhere herein. Ina preferred embodiment, t the 3 dimensional visual structure assists inconveying the potential and already used thinking and knowledge portionsof the method and process, as well as the components that have beenbuilt and their relationships. In one preferred embodiment, thethree-dimensional representation generally uses areas, levels and facetsof a three-dimensional representation structure to display theintegrated construct and its associated method and process portions. Forexample, in one embodiment, the view manager may use the differentlevels of a physical-like structure to differentiate, show progress in,and provide navigation to thinking and knowledge activities andresulting components of a similar type (for example, problem definitionthrough topics, analysis constructs, meaning statements, etc.).Similarly, in one embodiment, the view manager may use the sides,facets, or subareas of a physical like 3 dimensional representation todepict and convey the existence of different subset or slice views. Inone preferred embodiment, the view manager may use the levels and sidesof a 3 dimensional structure to define more specifically the basis forfiltering a subset or slice view.

In one embodiment, the invention may utilize at least two differentapproaches to the 3 dimensional representation of the integratedconstruct: 1) a 3D representation that is essentially views mapped ontoor associated with the facets, surface areas, or spaces of a 3dimensional looking shape (as shown in FIG. 6F, and 2.) a 3Drepresentation that employs a three dimensional linked structure made upof the ITKC components and its linkages, either alone or in combinationwith the use of the facets, surface areas, or spaces of a 3 dimensionallooking shape. This latter embodiment may take on the look of a threedimensional molecule, with the various linked components of the ITKCarranged with visible links, and an emphasis on navigation through nodesand links as opposed to facets. Both of these as well as combination oradditional three dimensional approaches to representing the ITKC are tobe understood to be within the scope of this application. The use of 3dimensional representations may assist the user in working on a projectin an intuitive manner, and makes the totality of their project and thestatus of the user's use of method and process portions, as well as therelationships between components easily evident. It should be readilyappreciated by those skilled in the art that additional forms of 3dimensional representation of an integrated construct are includedwithin the scope of this invention.

User navigation of 2 dimensional, outline or tree, and matrixrepresentations provided by the present invention may be accomplished ina variety of mechanisms that are well understood by those skilled in theart, including but not limited to user selection of visible elements toinitiate action or see further detail, use of drop down menus, drag anddrop approaches, and others. In one embodiment, user navigation and useof the 3D representational views can occur in several ways. Two of theseways are described more fully herein. In one embodiment, the user mayuse an interaction device to select an area, facet, surface, orcomponent that is visible to the user in the 3D representations.

In one embodiment, the 3D representations may include both the currentvisible central work view, and “next views” which are made visible oraccessible in an adjacent or otherwise visible area on therepresentation. The proximity of “next views” to the current visiblecentral work view is one way in which the present invention providesguidance to the user in thinking, as the “next views” represent naturalnext work steps the user may wish to chose next. Referring to FIG. 6F,one mechanism provided by the present invention to enable guided butflexible movement between the different thinking and work steps in aninquiry based project is the provisioning of current visible views (suchas the slice view depicted by block 82 a on FIG. 6D) and views which arealso visible and therefore appear closely related (as depicted by block82 b on FIG. 6F), which may be referred to as “next visible views,” Andviews which are implied to be available because of the edges or otherlogically available surfaces, areas, or structures that comprise the 3Dstructure that is being used, as in those noted as “implied relatedviews” depicted by block 82 c in FIG. 6F. The design and structure ofthe views, and their visible adjacency or placement in relation to oneanother, is one way in which the present invention provides guidance tothe user in portions of method to consider next, while allowingsignificant freedom in addressing the problem. In this embodiment, theview manager may provide additional direct navigation to less relatedviews through the use of mechanisms such as drop down menus and others.Other views (and corresponding work areas) may also be available to theuser, and provided in a drop down menu or other fashion. This is inkeeping with the design of the present invention that it provides someguidance to the user but also allows the user to move fairly freelythroughout the method and process. The user therefore can choose to movefrom the current visible central work area to a “next view” being shownto them in the representation, by selecting the next view area (or othervisible indicator for a next view) with an interactive device. Upon theuser selecting such a “next view” (as shown in FIG. 3A, block 110), theuser action is evaluated (FIG. 3A, block 302), and if a change in viewis warranted, the View Manager (FIG. 3A block 200) changes the viewbeing displayed to the chosen next visible view, including the currentcontent and structure of the integrated construct (FIG. 3A). The ViewManager (FIG. 3A, block 200) provides the appropriate representation tothe user, in keeping with the specifics of the 3D format that is beingused or has been chosen, in keeping with the above.

The definition of Next Visible Views as used herein includes views thatare logically apparent to the user but which may not be fully visible orindeed visible from the current view. Referring to FIG. 6E, for example,the areas noted as 82 b-1 and 82 b-2 are indeed areas that representaccess to views for additional subtopics, and are Next Visible Views.Continuing with FIG. 6E, areas notes as 82 b-4 are also Next VisibleViews, although only the edge of the facet belonging to that view andthe label for the subtopic may be visible from the current view. Also inFIG. 6E, area 82 b-5 is also a View which is available to the user, bymoving an interactive device to the edge of the construct that is theboundary of the “bottom” facet or view, by using the interactive deviceto select just below the visible Current View, or by other interactivemechanisms including but not limited to a pull down menu.

Accordingly, user manipulation of the 3 dimensional representation isprovided by the present invention is provided in a number of ways: 1.)the user may rotate, flip, zoom in and out or otherwise manipulate the 3dimensional representation of the integrated construct through the useof a number of different mechanisms and thereby “move” to a different,selected view; 2.) the user may select an area, facet, or othercomponent of the 3 dimensional representation by using an interactivedevice (such as a mouse and double clicking on the portion of therepresentation that indicates the presence of the next view), therebycausing the representation to be replaced by the selected next view;and/or 3.) the user may use a navigator icon or similar interface deviceto indicate directional movement. One embodiment of the use of anavigator icon or similar interface device is described further below.

In one embodiment, user navigation from one “view” to another of theintegrated construct—as associated with the different regions, facets,or other areas of a 3 dimensional looking structure—may be accomplishedthrough the use of a directional navigator device (see FIG. 7E for oneexample of such an interface device). In this embodiment, a visualdevice with sections or other elements that indicate direction may beprovided to the user on views. In this embodiment, if the user selectsthe component indicating the direction of “left” for example, the ViewManager changes the current view to provide the representation that isassociated with the next left most facet or area of the integratedconstruct. Specifically, for example, if the user is viewing a Question“side” View of the Construct, and selects or otherwise activates the“left” directional indicator in the navigator device, then the ViewManager changes the view to correspond with the next left most view—inthis case, the Question “side” View to the left of the previous view.Similarly, in one embodiment, if while viewing a Question “side” View ofthe Construct, the user selects or otherwise indicates the “up”directional indicator in the navigator device, the View Manager changesthe view to correspond with the view which is “above” or “up” from thecurrent view—in this example, the Topic Set or Topic Subset View. Theuse of significantly greater numbers or different forms of directionalindicators for use in navigating a 3D or 2D representational view of anIntegrated Construct are readily within the scope of this invention.

In one embodiment of such a navigator device, the central region shows adepiction of the overall shape of the integrated construct, selection ofwhich central region of the navigator device results in the View Managerpresenting the user with the Integrated Construct Overall View, asdescribed in greater detail later in this document. It should be readilyapparent that the use of other interaction approaches devices (such asthe physical directional movement of a mouse, use of a gaminginteractive device, use of a pen, touch screen or other interactionmechanism) to accomplish navigation and use of a 3 dimensionalrepresentation of an integrated construct does not depart from the scopeof this invention.

In another embodiment of a navigator device, the view manager mayprovide the user with a miniaturized representation of the IntegratedConstruct as a navigational device. In this embodiment, while on anygiven representational view, the user may then use this miniaturizedview or map of the overall Integrated Construct to select a specificview, portion or component of the Integrated Construct with some form ofinteractive device. Upon such selection, again, the View Manager thenchanges the representation of the Integrated Construct to the newlyselected view or component. It should be readily appreciated that theuse of any such visual or textual map of an overall inquiry basedprocess and integrated construct as a navigational device would bereadily within the scope of this invention.

The value and advantage of the views and representations of theintegrated construct are not dependent upon the precise coloration,shape, or screen placement of the components being provided in eachslice, region, component-specific, component set or overall integratedconstruct representation. It should be appreciated that the samefunctionality and same or similar advantage can be provided by somewhatdifferent implementations of these representations. For example,changing the icons, coloration, sizing, or screen placement of thecomponents, or in some cases even the selection of the specificcomponents being provided on the view would not materially change thefunction provided by the invention. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the user is provided with the ability to define the preferredplacement of items to appear in the various views.

The integrated construct may also be implemented in a physical manner,as in a physical model to be used in a classroom or other learningsituation to discuss and define the thinking and knowledge components ofan archetype project and process. An additional physical embodiment ofthe integrated thinking and knowledge construct is in the use of theconstruct for a physical exhibit, as in a museum setting.

Referring again to FIG. 7, examples of representations that may beprovided by the present invention are described below.

Topic Set Overview View

Referring to FIG. 7, block 702, he topic set overview representation 702provides the user with the totality of their topic set (being thedefinition of the problem, issues, questions or other means of definingthe focus of the inquiry based project), as it exists at the time theview is performed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the topicset is represented in the form of a web as illustrated in the partialexample of FIGS. 5A-42. An alternative embodiment may provide the topicset in the form of an outline as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-10.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the following are includedin the topic set overview: (i) main topic; (ii) sub-topics; (iii)secondary subtopics; (iv) any additional levels of subtopics; (v)linkages between all elements in the topic set; and (vi) method andprocess associated with the topic set, including the ability to create,change, edit, link, and rearrange topics, as well as problem definitionor topic definition help or assistance. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the top of the three-dimensional overview representation isdesignated for the topic set overview view. In a preferred embodiment,as with all views of the integrated construct, the components thatappear in this view are all generally actionable by the user (unless thecomponents have been otherwise designated as unchangeable as discussedelsewhere herein). This means that the user may select any one of themto review, change, or add to any of the content or structure of theselected component, with the same range of functionality generally aswhen the user first created that component.

Topic Set Drill Down View

Similar to the topic set overview, the present invention may provide aview of the integrated construct which enables the user to reviewportions of the total topic set and its linkages and relationships inadditional detail, indicated on FIG. 7 by block 704, for example to viewa subset of a large or complex topic set This view may be mostapplicable in more complex integrated constructs. Capabilities for thesubset of topics provided is similar to that provided for the Topic SetView.

Individual Topic View

Referring again to FIG. 7, block 706, in one embodiment, the viewmanager provides an individual topic (or subtopic or secondary subtopicas described elsewhere herein) view that generally enables the user toreview and work on the subset of the total integrated construct which isassociated with an individual topic (or subtopic), question, issue,problem or other means of defining the focus of an inquiry basedproject. In one embodiment of the present invention, the number ofIndividual topic views available corresponds to the number of subtopicsthe user has defined within the integrated construct. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, the number of individual topicviews available corresponds to the number of secondary subtopics, whichcan be accessed from either the topic set overview view, or a topic setdrilldown view as appropriate, and others. Similar subsetting views maybe provided to accommodate the nature and complexity of the specificintegrated construct.

The individual topic (or subtopic or secondary or other subtopic) view706 generally represents the totality of the integrated construct whichis associated at any given point in the development of an inquiry basedproject with the individual topic, question, problem or issue ofinterest (or first type of thinking structure). In this manner, thepresent invention may then provide a meaningful subset of thepotentially complex total integrated construct structure, and enablefocus by the user on working on one meaningful slice. An example of one3-D embodiment for the components and depiction of an individual topic(subtopic or secondary subtopic) view is shown in FIG. 7A and maygenerally include: (i) subtopic or secondary, or other subtopic which isthe subject of the view; (ii) any associated data, information,information elements and/or information constructs which have thus farbeen linked to or associated with the subtopic or secondary subtopic;(iii) any associated analysis constructs which have thus far been linkedto or associated with the subtopic or secondary or other subtopic; (iv)any meaning statements which have been linked to or associated with thesubtopic or secondary subtopic; (v) any notes regarding what is to bedone next, what additional information is needed or, relevant projectplan items which have been linked to or associated with the subtopic orsecondary subtopic; (vi) access to project plans, especially any plannedresearch; (v) access to electronic information sources (as describedelsewhere herein) and (vi) access to related portions of the method andprocess of the present invention for the assistance or guidance in eachof the above associated component types, as well as the method andprocess associated with creating, editing, or otherwise modifying theassociated component types above, and others. FIG. 7A depicts a threedimensional ITKC with a individual subtopic view which thus far has 2information constructs associated with it (George Washington and JamesMadison) but has not yet developed meaning or analysis for thissubtopic.

The present invention further provides for more detailed views ofcomponents associated with individual subtopics or secondary subtopics.It is to be appreciated that such additional detailed views follow fromand are in accordance with the present invention on any or all of theadditional views or representations provided.

Individual Meaning Statement View

Referring again to FIG. 7, the individual meaning statement view block730 enables the user to view and work on the subset of the entireintegrated construct that has been or is to be associated with anindividual meaning statement. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the number of individual highest level meaning statementsviews available correspond to the number of meaning statements createdat the highest level as defined by the user within the integratedconstruct. In another embodiment of the present invention, the number ofindividual meaning statement views available correspond to the number ofsecondary meaning statements.

The individual meaning statement view generally represents the totalityof the integrated construct, which is associated thus far with anindividual meaning statement (or second type of thinking structure). Inthis manner, the present invention may provide a meaningful subset ofthe potentially complex total integrated construct structure, and enablefocus by the user on working on one meaningful slice. The meaningstatement view may generally provide a focus on working on what theinformation and analysis components mean to the user, building toward ananswer or summary view. The meaning statement view is likely to besignificantly different than the views that are provided based on theindividual topics, as described above. An example of one embodiment ofthe individual meaning statement view generally may include any or allof the following: (i) a meaning statement or secondary meaning statementwhich is the focus of the view; (ii) any associated information,information elements or Information constructs which have thus far beenlinked to or associated with the meaning statement or secondary meaningstatement; (iii) any associated analysis constructs which have beenlinked to or associated with the meaning statement or secondary meaningstatement; (iv) any notes regarding what to do next, relevant projectplan which have thus far been linked to or associated with the specificmeaning statement or secondary meaning statement; and (v) access to anymethod or process associated with all of the above.

As with all representations provided by the present invention, thecomponents represented on the meaning statement view are all generallyactionable by the user. This means that the components can be: (i)selected to reveal their detailed contents; (ii) edited or changed;(iii) deleted; or (iv) replaced or enhanced with new or additionalcomponents.

Individual Information Construct View

Referring to FIG. 7, block 710, information constructs that have beencreated are indicated and made available in several representationalviews as icons, labels, or thumbnails of their contents. If the userselects a previously created Information construct, generally accordingto interactive mechanisms described herein or generally used in the art,the contents associated with the selected information construct aredisplayed via the individual information construct view.

As with all representations provided by the present invention, thecomponents displayed in the individual information construct view aregenerally actionable, unless they have been protected from change by aprevious author. This means they can generally be edited, changed,deleted, or added to readily from the individual information constructview. In one embodiment, the individual information construct view maygenerally include the following: (i) information construct label ortitle; (ii) information construct type (as chosen, or undefined); (iii)information construct unformatted information elements; (iv) informationconstruct formatted information elements; (v) links to other informationconstructs; (vi) links to analysis constructs; (vii) links to availabletopics, subtopics, secondary topics; (viii) links to available meaningstatements; and (ix) access to method and process associated with thecreation and editing of the information construct and its linkages.

Individual Analysis Construct View

Referring to FIG. 7, block 720, analysis constructs that have beencreated are similarly available in many representational views as icons,labels, or thumbnails of their contents. If the user selects apreviously created analysis construct, according to interactivemechanisms described herein or those generally used in the art, thecontents associated with the selected analysis construct are displayedvia the individual analysis construct view.

As with the other representations provided by the present invention, thecomponents displayed in the individual analysis construct view aregenerally actionable, unless they have been specifically protected fromchange by a previous author. This means they generally can be edited,changed, deleted, or added to readily from the individual analysisconstruct view. In addition, links that appear in the representationalview are generally available as navigation means to access the detailassociated with the linked component.

The individual analysis construct view 720 of FIG. 7 generally mayinclude the following: (i) analysis construct label or title; (ii)analysis construct field for observational comment regarding theanalysis construct; (iii) related information constructs; (iv) relatedinformation elements of information constructs; (v) related analysisconstructs; (vi) related available subtopics, and secondary subtopics;(vii) related available meaning statements; (viii) other availableinformation constructs in existence at the time of viewing; (ix)information construct formatted information elements; and (x) access tomethod and process associated with the analysis construct or relatedfunctions.

Collection of Information Constructs View

Referring again to FIG. 7, the collection of information constructs viewblock 715 generally may provide a representation of the totality ofinformation constructs created for or associated with the integratedconstruct at the time the view is so created. Icons, thumbnails, lists,and/or labels of such items or other forms thereof may be used to depictthis inventory of information constructs to date. Information constructsso displayed in such a representation are actionable (unless protectedfrom change earlier) as in any other view: for viewing at a detailedlevel, for editing, for viewing or changing links, etc. In oneembodiment, the representation of the collection of informationconstructs created may include a grouping of the information constructsaccording to type, and a visual distinction of how much data orinformation is contained in or otherwise associated with the particularInformation construct. In anther embodiment, the representation of thecollection of information constructs allows for grouping by category,theme, or other meaningful group, as discussed earlier herein.

Collection of Analysis Constructs View

Referring again to FIG. 7, the collection of analysis constructs view725 may generally provide a representation of the totality of analysisconstructs created for or associated with the integrated construct atthe time the view is so created. Icons, thumbnails, lists, and/or labelsof such items or other similar forms thereof may be used to depict thisinventory of analysis constructs to date. Analysis constructs sodisplayed in such a representation are generally actionable as in anyother view (except where otherwise protected): for viewing at a detailedlevel, for editing, for viewing or changing links, etc. In oneembodiment, the representation of the collection of analysis constructscreated may include a grouping of the analysis constructs according totype, and a visual distinction of how much data or information iscontained in or otherwise associated with the particular analysisconstruct. In another embodiment, the collection of analysis constructsmay be represented in groups or categories according to their linkage tosubtopics or meaning statements, or other categories or groups.

Answer or Summary Set

Referring to FIG. 7, block 760, the preferred embodiment furtherprovides for a view, which focuses on the answer or summary set, and arelated view, block 750 that allows for the representation of both theanswer or summary set and the meaning statements as a set.

Topic Meaning Statement Overlay View

Referring again to FIG. 7 block 770, the present invention may provide aview which represents the topic set and the meaning statement set of therespective integrated construct, and which depicts the relationshipsbetween these two thinking structures of the integrated construct.

Linkage View

Referring to FIG. 7, the linkage view 780 representation may begenerally available at any time for any component associated with theintegrated construct. In one embodiment, the linkage view is providedwhen the user selects any component, and the user activates the rightclick on the computer mouse. In another embodiment, the linkage view isprovided when the user selects any component and a subsequent choice ismade from a menu provided. There are any number of specific user actionsthat may be used to trigger the display of the linkage viewrepresentation, without departing from the scope or the intent of thepresent invention.

When the user invokes the linkage view, a representation is providedwhich shows all linkages from the chosen component to other componentswithin the integrated construct at the time the representation isaccessed. In one embodiment, the linkage view of a knowledge constructshows only links between knowledge constructs (being informationconstructs and analysis constructs), as opposed to links to all thinkingconstructs (topics, meaning statements, answers). In one embodiment, theintegrated construct component, which is the focus of the linkage view,is shown as the component in the center of the representation. Theintegrated construct component, which is the focus of the linkage view,can be selected by the user in order to show the contents of thecomponent, as described for example, in the individual informationconstruct view or individual analysis construct view described above.FIG. 7D is an example of a linkage view of one embodiment.

Overall Integrated Construct Overview

Referring to FIG. 7, when the overall integrated construct overview 700is invoked by the user, a representation is provided which shows adepiction of the overall integrated construct, as it exists at the timethe representation is invoked. Regions and other views are generallyavailable to the user to select from this overall integrated constructoverview, by selecting the portion of the integrated construct visiblewhich the user wishes to see in greater detail. Selection of a portionof the depiction of the overall integrated construct invokes theappropriate next representation, with its associated content and methodand process then available to the user.

In one embodiment of the overall integrated construct overview, colorand shapes may be used to distinguish and depict the boundaries of thevarious regions, slice or other views. In addition, the placement andshape of the facets and areas of the integrated construct as depicted inthe overall integrated construct overview may be used to distinguish theviews of combinations of components which are available to the user, andwhich thereby provide the user with the content, linkages of theintegrated construct and the method and process portions relevant tocreating, editing, and viewing the components of the integratedconstruct. As has been described elsewhere above, the overall integratedconstruct depiction is specifically designed to provide an overall viewof the progress the structure and process of the user's ITKC is making,and uses a number of visual distinction mechanisms, as defined elsewhereherein, to depict this progress and imply the user where they might wantto focus their energies next. Whether provided as a 3-D physical-likerepresentation, an outline, a matrix or other visualization, thedepiction of the integrated construct provides a visualization and mapof the total project, its components, linkages and the steps that havebeen taken in its construction.

Interface and Output Capabilities

Preferred embodiments provide a generalizable thinking and problemsystem and method—the ITKC system and method—together with interfacingmodules and capabilities related to a plurality of external sources andsystems. The ITKC system and method, together with the ITKC interfacemodules, facilitate and document a user or users' development ofthinking, understanding and potentially a solution to an arbitraryproblem, and allow for the effective involvement of external resourcesand systems as input to, during, and output from the ITKC process. Thisis enabled significantly by the architectural design of the system andmethod, which is highly modular. Many adults who use computers forinquiry-based projects and arbitrary problems would want to use thesystem and method in a manner that interfaced with other systems orresources. Some embodiments of the interface related capabilities of thepresent invention's system and method are described below, described asmodules of an Interface Management Module associated with the ITKCsystem and method.

The ITKC system and method facilitate a user or users in moving from oneinitial state of understanding and thinking about an arbitrary problemto another desired state (for example, from defining a problem or set ofquestions to an answer, or from proposing a hypothesis to evaluating andultimately proving or disproving that hypothesis). In the preferredembodiment, the results and working stages are encapsulated in a model,or ITKC (shown schematically in FIG. 1A).

In the descriptions included herein, the term “user” is intended to meanan individual user, a team of people working together on a project,multiple users sharing and viewing parts of all of one or moreintegrated constructs, combinations of such and the like. The use of theterm “user” furthermore is intended to include a person, a super usersuch as a teacher or expert, or other electronic or other form source.

The preferred embodiment of the ITKC system and method is modular indesign, and is heavily based in standard data and communicationapproaches. The modularity of preferred embodiments is shown for examplein FIG. 1A which shows the modularity of the archetype structure andresulting ITKC. The preferred embodiment includes at least someobject-oriented implementation, though this is not necessary. Themodularity of design assists in enabling the invention's ability to beused as a whole, or subset, or individual tools or portions of thesystem and method. The ITKC system and method of preferred embodimentsallow for the inclusion and/or reference of external information (forexample, such as referenced web sites or other electronic sources ordata) and other external tools or systems through forms and means thatare standard and commonly accepted and known by those experienced in theart. The combination of the system and method's modularity together withits reliance on commonly accepted information, media and communicationforms, provide a strong design and technical basis for achieving inpreferred embodiments one, some or all of the following: 1.) theinterface of the ITKC system and method with other systems, methods, andelectronic sources; 2.) the incorporation of input from other electronicsystems, tools and resources into the ITKC environment, again accordingto commonly accepted practices and standards; 3.) the incorporation ofother standard tools into the ITKC system and method environment; and4.) publication and export of all or parts of a developed ITKC to otherelectronic and computer based resources and systems via standard andaccepted methods, and others. Example embodiments of these interfacerelated modules are described more fully below.

The present invention facilitates interfacing with various systems andresources largely through commonly accepted file standards, andcommunication standards as described more fully below. Many of thestandards and approaches discussed below are Internet based or enabled,although it should be appreciated that non Internet related protocolsand approaches that achieve similar interface functionality with respectto the ITKC system and method are to be considered within the scope ofthe invention. Embodiments of the present invention may provide for one,some, or all of the interface module types described herein.

The preferred embodiment provides a number of interface points andmodules to provide for the ITKC system and method to interface, interactwith and provide output to a number of electronic sources, standardtools, and other computer systems and methods. Referring to FIG. 8, oneembodiment of the system and method includes an Interface Manager orsimilar module, block 8000, which in one embodiment is made up of anumber of interface modules, including but not limited to: 1.) interfacemodule for file I/O management according to standard and well understoodpractices, as indicated in block 8100; 2.) interface module toelectronic sources of information such as the Internet and others (block8200), which in one embodiment includes interface to search engines orother agents and to external electronic data and sources; 3.) interfacemodule to reference and manage input to/from external or third partytools and other electronic systems (block 8300); 4.) interface modulefor electronic output definition and management (block 8400) and others.It is a benefit of one of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention that the system provides not only a system for facilitatingand conveying user thinking about an arbitrary problem, but does so inthe context of other electronic sources, systems, and output forms thatmay be important to a user's total problem solving environment.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the preciseboundaries of such interface modules or programs can differ from thosedescribed herein without departing from the present invention.

A representative architecture for one embodiment of the ITKC system andmethod with one or more interface management or similar modules is shownin FIG. 9. Consistent with previous disclosures, the ITKC system andmethod and its associated interface modules may be implemented in anumber of different technical and processing formats. FIG. 9 depicts onesuch embodiment with one embodiment of the interface modules provided bythe system and method. Referring to FIG. 9, the client shown in block9001 is representative of a plurality of computer and other systems,including general-purpose computers (like desktops, laptops, etc.),network appliances (like set top boxes, game consoles, etc.) andwireless devices (like personal digital assistants, cellular phones, orother such devices). As is common, the client in this embodimentgenerally has volatile memory (such as RAM or other memory), nonvolatile memory (such as ROM or other memory and including hard disks,etc.), a processor, one or more input devices (such as keyboard, mouse,stylus, microphone, etc.) and one or more output devices (display ofsome sort, audio, printer, etc.), and an operating system. In the mostlikely embodiment, the client will have resident standard tools, such asoffice and browser tools. In this embodiment, the client will also housesome portion of the ITKC system and method, and likely at least one ofor a portion of the interface management modules as described herein.Similarly, in some embodiments, the system and method will incorporate aserver, shown in block 9002, which in this embodiment has a processor,volatile memory (such as RAM), non volatile memory (such as ROM, harddisk, etc.), and an operating system. The server may be of manydifferent environments, including a server for a local area network orwide area network, a backend for such a server, or a Web server, orothers. The server in this embodiment may also have resident and processon its operating system some portion of the ITKC system and method. Inthis embodiment, the server also has resident a portion of system andmethod identified as an additional interface module manager, which is inturn may also in one embodiment be comprised of one, some or all of anumber of different interface modules, as described more fully below. Inthis embodiment, the client submits queries to a server computer via anetwork, such as the Internet. In this embodiment, interfaces betweenthe ITKC system and method and other tools, resources, or systems whichare contained within the client environment described below areconducted via the interface manager or similar modules resident on theclient. Also in this embodiment, interfaces which occur between the ITKCsystem and method and other external resources or systems (as indicatedin blocks 9003, 9004, 9005, 9006) may be managed via a server basedinterface manager, which in turn then manages and controls interfaceswith external systems, resources (such as web services, web sites, anddata bases) and others over a network. It should be appreciated,however, that the interface architecture may be implemented with othernetwork types, and with the interface modules or portions of the ITKCsystem and method resident on different types or placements ofprocessors. For example, in one embodiment, the interface modulesubcomponent is most closely related to items that would be likelyresident on the client of the user seeking the interface, and would inthat embodiment potentially reside almost entirely on the client withthe client based ITKC system and method components.

FIG. 8 provides a schematic of one embodiment of ITKC system and methodinterface management modules provided by the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, block 8100, in one embodiment, the presentinvention includes a File I/O interface module associated with the ITKCsystem and method. In this embodiment, the present invention's file I/Omodule utilizes standard file and data conventions, including fileformats such as XML, HTML or similarly widely accepted formats, toprovide an interface to 1.) accept electronic input from other sourcesin keeping with the data, parameter, and instructional expectations ofthe ITKC system and method; and 2.) to provide access through commonlyaccepted file and data conventions, again such as but not limited toXML, HTML and others, to the files, parameters, and other output whichmay be created by the ITKC method and system. Referring to FIG. 13, inone embodiment, the input related processing of the File I/O module forprocessing input to the ITKC system and method performs functions suchas the following: 1.) validating the electronic initiator's right toprovide input, in block 13002; 2.) evaluating and validating that theformat of electronically provided input suitably matches theexpectations of the ITKC system and method, in block 13003, as forexample through parsing and evaluating the electronically providedinput; 3.) processing the so identified portions of electronic input inorder to identify their type, block 13004; 4.) identifying the input'sintended program module recipient(s), in block 13005; 5.) transmittingthe input to the appropriate ITKC system program module recipient, inblock 13006, and 6.) waiting and then receiving response from the ITKCprogram module, in block 13007. In return, in one embodiment, theindividual ITKC program modules include an interface processor componentin order to read and respond to such messages and files from the FileI/O interface or other interface modules. It should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that similarly processing input from anyelectronic source that provides electronic input in the format expectedby the file I/O module and the present system and method should beconsidered within the scope of this invention. Such input provisioningmay, for example, be used to provide electronic input in the form offiles to update or modify tables or data bases utilized by the ITKCsystem and method. Additional purposes for such electronic input to theITKC system and method might also include the inclusion of data fromother systems or software (such as statistical packages or othersystems) or for other vendors or systems to otherwise provide inputdirectly to the ITKC system and method. Also through the use of standardfile formats and other data related standards, the interface module ofthe preferred embodiment similarly provides for the generation of ITKCbased output in generally structured, standard forms which may includebut not be limited to items such as ITKC content, ITKC structureindications, other archetype related components or rules. It should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that the system and method'smodularity and the modularity of the stored ITKC, as previouslydisclosed, enable a plurality of output forms, according to standardsand commonly accepted practices. Additional output related interfacecapabilities of the system and method are further described below.

FIG. 8, block 8200, an additional interface module is the electronicinformation interface module, discussed further below.

Referring to FIG. 5 block 560 and also FIG. 3A block 905, the ITKCprocess manager or similar module of the ITKC system and method in oneembodiment facilitates the seeking and gathering of information and dataas one important potential portion of the archetype process forfacilitating user thinking about and working to solve an arbitraryproblem. Many if not most instances of “inquiry based projects” includesome aspect of seeking, locating, and retrieving new or additionalinformation and data for the project (as in data or information that maynot be previously known or acquired by the user(s)).

Continuing with FIG. 8, block 8200, in one preferred embodiment, theinterface manager or similar module includes an interface module for themanagement of and access to external information sources, includinginterfaces to third party search engines or other agents and to externalinformation or information sources. With regard to third party searchengines or other agents, one such embodiment of the interface is throughthe use of web services, via SOAP envelopes, as well understood by thoseskilled in the art and described in more detail below. In oneembodiment, the interface manager module for electronic informationincludes storage of the web service location references for commonlyused web services, to be selected by the user. It should be similarlyappreciated that many web services, indicated in FIG. 13 block 13004,could be similarly accessed and incorporated through the interfacemanager module of the ITKC system and method in a similar fashion. Insome preferred embodiments, shown for example in FIG. 5E block 910 anddiscussed also below, the ITKC system and method through the electronicinformation interface module also transmits ITKC generated searchstatements directly to a third party search engine or agent, as in theautomatic transmission of a search statement based on a topic (“Whatcaused the Constitution?”), or other ITKC components and archetypestructure relationships.

Such information requests, in one embodiment of the ITKC system andmethod, may result from a number of transactions or events, includingbut not limited to: 1.) as a result of the suggestions developed by theProcess Manager Suggestor or similar module, in response to a user eventand the evaluation of the various ITKC and archetype components aspreviously discussed; 2.) by direct action and request by a user, forthe ITKC or project as a whole or for specific components or regions ofcomponents, in the absence of other suggestions per se.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the projectionof ITKC based or generated search statements into data beyond the“local” data previously associated with an ITKC may be accomplishedthrough well understood practices. As discussed below, a preferredembodiment of the interface module associated with search engines andexternal information sources accomplishes the interfacing of ITKC intoexternal data sources.

FIG. 10 provides a flow chart view of the processing relationships andfunctions performed by the electronic information sources interfacemodule of one embodiment, and its interfacing in relation to the ITKCsystem and method. (Blocks numbered in the 300's were originally shownin FIGS. 3B-10, for ITKC process manager suggestor processing flows.)Referring to FIG. 10, the search engine related interface may beinitiated by at least 2 different events within the ITKC systemenvironment, indicated by a user direct action, block 10001 or asuggestion made by the process manager 10002, which initiates theprocess manager suggestor to evaluate the ITKC, against archetypestructure and archetype process rules, previously discussed and shown inFIG. 320. Continuing with FIG. 10, in one embodiment, the processmanager suggestor or similar module searches ITKC related data viagenerating a search statement, as indicated in block 330.

Referring again to FIG. 10, in one embodiment, the system and method ofthe present invention determines whether the search event will utilizean external or third party search engine or other agent, as indicated inblock 10010. Such determination may be based on a number of factors,which may include but not necessarily be limited to: the setting of userpreferences associated with project initiation, as previously disclosed;the fit as determined by the process manager suggestor of the generatedsearch algorithm with the expectations of third party search engines orother agents (as in the archetype search algorithms that are readilytransferable to Boolean or other standard search logic and terminology);choices set by either the user or a super user or other assigner orcustomizer, and others. Continuing with FIG. 10, if the electronicinformation sources interface module determines that an external orthird party search engine or other agent is to be utilized, in block10010, then the electronic information sources interface module preparesa message and transmits the search algorithm or other search basedphrase or terms, in block 10012, to the search engine or other agent,block 10015.

For example, one embodiment of the utilization of external or thirdparty search engines or agents by the present invention is accomplishedthrough an interface module of the system and method that utilizes SOAP(Simple Object Access Protocol) and generates and transmits SOAPenvelopes to utilize and communicate with web services such as Google orothers that may be defined using WSDL (web service descriptionlanguage), as well understood by those skilled in the art. In anotherembodiment, the system and method may transmit the archetype basedsearch algorithm directly to a search engine that is otherwiseaccessible.

Continuing with FIG. 10, block 10030, if an external search engine oragent is not indicated, and external data access, 10032, for theinformation request is indicated, then the electronic informationsources interface module applies the search statement to external datasources, block 10035, in a number of different ways, including use of aweb crawler and direct access to a defined data source and others.

In one embodiment, continuing with FIG. 10, following the completion ofthe search by the third party search engine or other agent, theelectronic information sources interface returns results to the ITKCsystem process manager, as shown in block 10040. In one embodiment, uponreceiving the externally generated search results, the process manager(FIG. 3 block 400) of the ITKC system and method directs the searchresults to the update manager or similar module (FIG. 3 block 700),which load the search results into a data base (such as access or SQL),and store search history information. In one embodiment, such a searchresults data base is an interim data base only. Continuing with FIG. 10,externally generated searches so stored may be further evaluated by theITKC matching mechanisms used otherwise on ITKC related data, in block332, and the results again stored, in block 10050. An alternativeembodiment of the electronic information sources interface module isthat the interface module and the ITKC system do not store theexternally generated results, but instead provide the search results foruser review and action. Such an alternative embodiment may occur inenvironments in which processing power is limited or in which it isdesirable for the user to interact with and review all search results,as potentially some educational settings. Continuing with FIGS. 10 and10A, the system and method determine whether the user or assigner hasset the option in the ITKC system that users should be prompted withsuggestions before the process manager and update manager process andupdate accordingly, as shown in block 10055. If so, then in thisembodiment, the system prompts the user with the results of thesearches, block 390, and waits for their instruction. If not, in oneembodiment, the ITKC system and method in block 10060, applies archetypestructure and rules, as for ITKC data and previously discussed, tofurther evaluate the stored results, extract data that matches the ITKCand the archetype formatting requirements, and formats the extracteddata that has been identified in the search results that may be soformatted (again based on the search statement as originally defined andthe archetype structure), block 10060, and associates the formatted datato the appropriate portion of the ITKC, block 10070, for which theinformation request was originally defined. In some embodiments, therobustness with which such association of extracted information to ITKCcomponents and elements is made may depend upon the exact nature of theinformation request and information type that is retrieved.

Referring again to FIG. 8, one embodiment of the system and methodincludes further an interface manager or similar module component whichcontrols and manages interfaces with third party tools and systems asincorporated with the ITKC system and method as a part of the archetypeprocess for supporting users in developing their ITKC's. Suchincorporation may be accomplished by a number of well understoodmechanisms and practices within the scope of this invention. Examples ofsuch incorporation to the ITKC method and system may include but not belimited to systems such as third party standard tools such asspreadsheets, or any other systems that enable similar incorporation. Inone embodiment of the present invention, the system and method of theinterface module manager enable the inclusion of standard tools orportions of software that are available in formats such as ActiveX. Inanother embodiment, the ITKC system and method utilize proxy objectdefined for portions of the archetype structure that enables the ITKC toallow for the inclusion of external tools as part of the ITKC system andmethod's environment, in particular through defined object components inColdFusion or similar technologies. In another embodiment, the externalor third party software tools or software components may be applets orweb services or other referenceable items. In one preferred embodiment,the interface module manager includes a set of preformatted interfacemodules for the most commonly incorporated or accessed tools, withpreformatted file matching of methods that are exposed in the tool ortool portion and transfer of relevant data fields to be incorporatedwith expectations and actions of the ITKC system and method.

Referring to FIG. 8, block 8400, one embodiment of the interface moduleregarding output management by the ITKC system and method is describedbelow. Referring to FIG. 5, block 590, the ITKC system and methodprovides as a result of constructing an ITKC an output or presentationalform of the ITKC, in addition to the electronically stored workingand/or archival version of the developed ITKC (which may also be viewed,accessed, and incorporated into new ITKC's by other users). Also, andpreviously discussed, in a preferred embodiment, the output may beelectronic, paper based, or both.

Referring to FIG. 5, block 590, the ITKC system and method in apreferred embodiment provide an output form (in addition to the storableand reusable interactive and working ITKC) primarily for use by orsharing with other users. In the preferred embodiment, thepresentational or output form may include a copy or representation ofany or all of various items associated with the constructed ITKC,including but not limited to the content of the user's (or author's)ITKC (or subsets thereof), the structure and relationships of itscomponents, annotations and dialogue by the author regarding what theybelieve to be most important, why they approached the problem as theydid, etc., extracts from their project journal or plan, and others. Inone embodiment, the output is with regard to the ITKC in its finishedform; in another embodiment, the user may choose to include in theoutput form the snap shots or other tracking developed over the courseof the project. In another embodiment, the user(s) is able to select theextent to which the archetype structure and process are displayed in theoutput form, limiting the output form to the ITKC content and structureonly as opposed to including any archetype presentation if so desired.In preferred embodiments, output formats provided by the ITKC system andmethod include a number of different output forms readily prepared fromthe ITKC data bases and ITKC interactive system, including but notlimited to electronic file generation, generation of interactive andstandard page based presentational forms, outline forms, and others, asdescribed more fully below. The ability to translate and format betweenone standard electronic information form and another is well understoodby those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 14, one embodiment of system architecture modules thatproduce the output capabilities of the ITKC system and method are madeup of generally the following: 1.) a presentation engine, whichgenerates a presentation format and content for the project selectedbased on the ITKC working data that has been selected for the specificpresentation and any additional instructions and data that have beenprovided by the user (such as added media, annotations, formattinginstructions, headlines, etc. as described, and allows for user creationand editing); 2.) a file generator module, which when so instructed,extracts the specified data and/or media from the ITKC working databases and generates an electronic output file based on file formatsspecified; 3.) a set of files or data bases used to store thepresentation form or output form of the ITKC within the ITKC system andmethod; 4.) a data base matching processor, which tracks which elementsor components from the ITKC working data base have been selected forinclusion in the ITKC presentational format, and manages updates toeither in conjunction with the update manager of the ITKC system andmethod; 5.) an output interface module that manages the provisioning orpublishing of the generated output and files, and others.

FIG. 11 shows one embodiment of the flow of processing of ITKC systemand method portions associated with the output generation, management,and related processing by the output interface or similar module. FIG.11 shows the output creation process as primarily linear, as context forshowing the interface output module. It should be appreciated, however,that consistent with the modularity and flexibility of the processprovided by the ITKC system and method as previously disclosed, suchoutput creation may be considerably more iterative or occur in differentorders from that shown in FIG. 11.

Referring to FIG. 11, block 590, in one embodiment, upon the initiationby a user or other source to create or work on the output orpresentation form of the ITKC, the ITKC system and method prompts orotherwise determines whether the action is to create a presentation form(being a form of the ITKC that is constructed in addition to or inparallel with the working ITKC form), in block 11001, or to create anoutput or export version of the ITKC without creating an additionalpresentational form. If the choice or direction is to create apresentation form of the ITKC, block 11010, then the processing in oneembodiment is provided to a submodule for presentation development,shown in FIG. 12 and described more fully below. If the choice ordirection is instead to create an output or export form of the ITKC,block 11020, then the system prompts for or otherwise determines theoutput format to be selected, block 11030, based on a library of outputformats, 11035, including standard and custom forms.

Continuing with FIG. 11, if the choice or direction in one embodiment isto create an output form (in this first instance without creating aseparate presentational form of the ITKC) then the system provideschoices regarding output format or otherwise determines such choice (asin through an electronic direction via the File I/O interface manager).A preferred embodiment provides for the selection of an output formatfrom a number of different output forms, which may include but not belimited to 1.) a “published” working ITKC, indicated in block 11041,which may either be a copy of the fully functioning and interactive ITKCfor others use or review, or may be an interactive ITKC but with reducedaccess either by portion or by function; 2.) an HTML or similar formatpresentational format file, block 11042, based on the ITKC working orpresentation data and suitable for viewing in standard browsers andother tools; 3.) electronic file creation based on the ITKC workingfiles, in block 11050, either for formatting to external standard tools,block 11051, or file export in generally accepted file formats, such asbut not limited to XML, rich text format, HTML, outlined format in atext document, and others, block 11052; and others. In one embodiment,the generation of electronic files that contain information from theITKC working (or presentational, as discussed below) data bases isperformed by a file generator module, which extracts the specified data,formats the data according to the formatting instructions provided bythe available output formats file, in block 11035), generates theprescribed format, and stores and makes accessible the file result. Sucha file in one embodiment may then be provided to the file I/O interfacemodule to be delivered to an external requestor or user.

Continuing with FIG. 11, in one embodiment, following the selection ofthe desired output format, in block 11030, the interface outputmanagement provides for the selection of portions of the ITKC forinclusion in the file to be generated, in block 11060, process andformat the selected ITKC information in block 11070, and generate theoutput or export file, in 11080.

Referring now to the presentational process, in FIG. 12, if the user hasrequested the creation or editing of a presentational form of an ITKC,FIG. 11, block 11010, then the system and method prompt the user toselect a presentation format in which to work, in block 12010; suchpresentation formats may include but not be limited to an outline view,a page based layout view and other. Such options are also consistentwith the ability of the ITKC system and method's view manager to provideoutline views of the ITKC in working mode as well, as indicated on FIGS.3C-20, block 286. Continuing with FIG. 12, in one embodiment, the viewmanager then displays a presentation workspace in the format chosen, inblock 12020, as in outline or page layout or other view. In thepreferred embodiment, the user may return at any time to the other ITKCworking views, block 12025, and the view manager will generate theworking view, block 12027. In one embodiment, the user may have both thepresentational view and an ITKC working view visible at the same time,consistent with the view manager's ability to provide multiple screenviews at the same time, previously discussed. Continuing with FIG. 12,if the user choice is to proceed with presentational creation orediting, in block 12030, then the presentational workspace may beutilized to perform one, some, or all of the following: 1.) selection ofITKC related items to be included in the output, as indicated in block12031 (including but not limited to items such as ITKC components, ITKCcomponent structure and/or content, archetype related information,annotations, and others); 2.) construction of a presentational oroutline or organizing structure (for example, the presentational outlineform will be a natural choice for working towards a primarily text basedword processing related output) as indicated in block 12032; and 3.) theconstruction or addition to the presentational ITKC of additionalmaterials related to the output, in block 12033, including but notlimited to items such as additional text for explanations orhighlighting or commentary, drawings, etc. to supplement the ITKCgenerated content and visuals for the output if desired, as indicated inblock 12033, and potentially from external sources. In the preferredembodiment, the user is able to edit, add or change the ITKC workingcomponents that have been added to the presentational ITKC form from theITKC presentational workspace if desired. Continuing with FIG. 12, inone embodiment, as actions are taken to add or edit content, linkages,and the like in the presentation workspace, the system and method updatethe presentational display, in 12040, and update the files or database(s) that store and record the presentational form of the ITKC, block12045. In the preferred embodiment, the ITKC system and method create aset of references and files for items to be included in thepresentational form that is separate from but referenceable back to theworking ITKC itself. Continuing with FIG. 12A, the system and methodtrack whether a change has occurred in the ITKC presentational workspacethat implies a potential change to the ITKC working data, as indicatedin block 12050. If so, the system evaluates whether the change is to bemade to the working ITKC as well, in block 12060, in one embodiment byprompting the users regarding such change. In another embodiment, a useror users can set a choice as to whether the presentational and workingITKC's will be kept identical in their common information and structuralelements. In this manner, and in the preferred embodiment, and alsopreviously discussed, the ITKC system and method manages parallel orlinked creation of a presentational output form of an ITKC and a workingITKC.

Referring again to FIG. 11, following the completion of the creation ofa presentational ITKC form, in one embodiment, the user is provided withthe choice to export the presentational form, in block 11015. If so, theprocessing to prepare the presentational form for publishing or exportis referred to block 11030, and utilizes some of the same processingdescribed above.

For published presentational forms, the ITKC system and method providesfor the setting of options relative to the output form itself, includingfor example those previously disclosed, including but not limited toitems such as the selection of which views are to be included in theoutput form, and others.

In the preferred embodiment, the ITKC system and method provide a numberof different formats for ITKC related published or presentationaloutput. This is also consistent with the multiple options forrepresentations provided by the view manager and previously discussed,and also as referenced in FIGS. 3C-20 block 286, including but notlimited to: 1.) 3 dimensional, whether a structural or molecular view;2.) outline or tree format; 3.) 2D representation format; and 4.) matrixformat. Referring to FIG. 11, examples of the output formats provided byone embodiment of the ITKC system and method, as previously disclosed,may include one, some, or all the following: 1.) an interactive versionof the ITKC based on the ITKC system and method, block 11041, and thepreviously disclosed viewing options, and also potentially a version ofthe interactive ITKC with limits on the extent to which the ITKC may beedited; 2.) an HTML or similar format based version of the presentationoutput, based on the content and visuals provided by the ITKC system andmethod, but structured as navigatable and viewable, for example, as aweb site through any HTML compliant presentational tool, block 11042;3.) file formats consistent with exporting to standard tools, previouslydiscussed, block 11051; 4.) a file based version of output, based onstandard file formats such as XML and suitable for reading andprocessing by other systems or tools, block 11052, including a primarilyoutline based format consisting of rich text and images such as .giffiles generated based on the output creation choices from the ITKC,suitable for importing to other tools that process RTF and image files,which may include original ITKC content as well as additional contentmaterial added in text or graphic or other form during the outputcreation process, and others.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theprovisioning of output from the ITKC system may be produced in these andother standard formats without departing from the scope of the ITKCsystem and method. The conversion and data transfer approachesreferenced herein and understood by those skilled in the art provide fora broad range of options in producing output from the ITKC system andmethod, and the modularity and reliance of the ITKC on standard andmodularized data approaches assist significantly in enabling thesedifferent forms.

In this manner, in a preferred embodiment, the system provides theability to publish a version and/or portions of the ITKC to standardformats, 11051, and therefore to standard or commonly accepted thirdparty tools and other standards based systems, such as a word processor,web authoring tools, multimedia presentation tools, and others.

It is a significant advantage of the previously disclosed system andmethod that ITKC's (developed by one or more users, for example) can beshared, viewed, manipulated and interacted with by other users, andreused or otherwise incorporated in future ITKC's. The interface modulefor output management, in this embodiment, controls and provides outputformats consistent with well accepted standards for interfacing toexternal systems, users, or resources.

Concluding with FIG. 8, then, the interface manager or similar moduleprovides for the ITKC system a number of interface managementcapabilities to enable the ITKC system and method's use within a largerinformation processing environment.

As used herein the term arbitrary problem includes qualitativeexpressions of problems, quantitative problems, and combinationsthereof.

In addition, the description often uses the term “construct” inconnection with the description of preferred implementations. By thisterm it is meant and organized collection of the relevant data. The termis not meant to be limited to any particular form of data structure ororganization, though certain preferred implementations organize dataaccording to object oriented design principles.

When referring to the term “archetype” as in archetype process orarchetype structure, the intent is to cover exemplary, though notnecessarily optimal, processes or structures.

When referring to the term “integrated” the intent is to cover thingsoperating harmoniously, or uniting components that were previouslyregarded as separate.

In the foregoing detailed description of the present invention, and itspreferred and example embodiments discussed herein, reference is made inpart to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof. The drawingsin conjunction with the following description and explanation show byway of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilizedand structural and functional changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention is notlimited to the above described embodiments but rather is defined by theappended claims, and that these claims will encompass modifications ofand improvements to what has been described.

1. A system for facilitating user thinking about an arbitrary problemwith interfacing with at least one of an external resource, computersystem or device, comprising: One or more processors; at least one of amemory or computer readable medium, or both, having computer readableinstructions, comprising; First logic to facilitate user specificationof the problem to populate a problem statement structure; Second logicto facilitate user specification of a conclusion, related to the problemspecification, to populate a conclusion statement structure; Third logicto facilitate user specification of knowledge, related to at least oneof the problem specification and the conclusion specification, topopulate a knowledge structure; Control logic to persuade userinteraction with the first, second and third logic to a sequence ofinteractions within a predefined set of interaction sequences, whereinthe predefined set of interactions define an archetype process for userthinking about the problem; At least one of logic to display, logic tostore and logic to output at least a subset of the resulting userstructure, or any combination thereof; and Interface logic to accomplisha transmittal to or receive and process a transmittal from at least oneof an external resource, computer system or device, or any combinationthereof.
 2. The system of claim 1 further comprising control logic topersuade user interaction additionally with the interface logic.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the interface logic includes logic to evaluateor validate the source of the transmittal being communicated to thesystem for facilitating user thinking about an arbitrary problem.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the interface logic includes logic to evaluatethe content of the transmittal being communicated to the system forfacilitating user thinking about an arbitrary problem.
 5. The system ofclaim 4 wherein the logic to evaluate includes parsing of thetransmittal content.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein the evaluationincludes parsing according to predefined parameters.
 7. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the interface logic includes file input/output (I/O)logic to communicate at least a subset of the user structure orinformation from the archetype process to at least one of an externalresource, computer system or device.
 8. The system of claim 1 whereinthe interface logic includes file input/output (I/O) logic to importcontent from at least one of an external resource, computer system ordevice to the system for facilitating user thinking about an arbitraryproblem.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein the content is imported to theuser structure.
 10. The system of claim 8 wherein the content isimported to at least one of the interactions of the archetype process.11. The system of claim 1 wherein the interface logic includes logic tomanage an external source of information for the system for facilitatinguser thinking about an arbitrary problem.
 12. The system of claim 11wherein the logic to manage an external source of information includeslogic to transmit a request for information to an external source ofinformation.
 13. The system of claim 1 wherein the system includes logicto evaluate at least one of the user model structure and the archetypeprocess, and includes logic to generate an information request relatedthereto.
 14. The system of claim 11 wherein the logic to manage anexternal source of information includes logic to receive and processinformation from an external source of information.
 15. The system ofclaim 11 wherein the external source of information includes at leastone search engine.
 16. The system of claim 11 wherein the externalsource of information includes at least one third party agent.
 17. Thesystem of claim 11 wherein the external source of information includesat least one external data base.
 18. The system of claim 1 wherein theinterface logic includes logic to process a request for information froman external source related to at least one of the user model structureand the archetype process.
 19. The system of claim 1 wherein theinterface logic includes logic to receive and process a transmittal froman external source and transmit said input to at least one interactionwithin the set of interaction sequences of the archetype process. 20.The system of claim 1 wherein the interface logic includes logic toactivate or otherwise request an action or response from an externalresource, computer system or device.
 21. The system of claim 1 whereinthe interface logic includes logic to receive and process results of anaction or response by an external resource, computer system or device.22. The system of claim 21 wherein the external resource is a webservice.
 23. The system of claim 21 wherein the request is accomplishedthrough the use of a SOAP protocol.
 24. The system of claim 20 whereinthe request for an action or response is generated from at least oneinteraction of the set of interaction sequences of the archetypeprocess.
 25. The system of claim 1 wherein the interface logic includeslogic to transmit output to at least one of an external resource,computer system or device, from at least one interaction of the set ofinteraction sequences of the archetype process.
 26. The system of claim25 wherein the output is information related to at least one of the usermodel structure or the archetype process.
 27. The system of claim 1wherein the archetype process is a dynamic process that changes inresponse to the user structure.
 28. The system of claim 1 wherein thearchetype process includes multiple or alternative starting points. 29.The system of claim 1 wherein the archetype process includes multiple oralternative paths of interactions.
 30. A system for facilitating userthinking about an arbitrary problem with interfacing with at least oneof an external resource, computer system or device, comprising: One ormore processors; at least one of a memory or computer readable medium,or both, having computer readable instructions, comprising: First logicto facilitate user specification of the problem to populate a problemstatement structure; Second logic to facilitate user specification of aconclusion statement, related to the problem statement, to populate aconclusion statement structure; Third logic to facilitate userspecification of knowledge, related to at least one of the problemstatement and the conclusion statement, to populate a knowledgestructure; Model logic to construct a resulting user model structure;Structure analysis logic to analyze the user model structure relative toan archetype model structure; At least one of logic to display, logic tostore and logic to output at least a subset of the resulting userstructure, or any combination thereof; and Interface logic to accomplisha transmittal to or receive and process a transmittal from at least oneof an external resource, computer system or device, or any combinationthereof.
 31. The system of claim 30 further comprising model logic totrack user interaction additionally with the interface logic.
 32. Thesystem of claim 30 wherein the interface logic includes logic toevaluate or validate the source of the transmittal being communicated tothe system for facilitating user thinking about an arbitrary problem.33. The system of claim 30 wherein the interface logic includes logic toevaluate the content of the transmittal being communicated to the systemfor facilitating user thinking about an arbitrary problem.
 34. Thesystem of claim 33 wherein the logic to evaluate includes parsing of thetransmittal content.
 35. The system of claim 34 wherein the evaluationincludes parsing according to predefined parameters.
 36. The system ofclaim 30 wherein the interface logic includes file input/output (I/O)logic to communicate at least a subset of the user model structure orthe archetype model structure to at least one of an external resource,computer system or device.
 37. The system of claim 30 wherein theinterface logic includes file input/output (I/O) logic to import contentfrom at least one of an external resource, computer system or device tothe system for facilitating user thinking about an arbitrary problem.38. The system of claim 37 wherein the content is imported to at leastone of the user structure or the archetype model structure.
 39. Thesystem of claim 30 wherein the interface logic includes logic to managean external source of information for the system for facilitating userthinking about an arbitrary problem.
 40. The system of claim 39 whereinthe logic to manage an external source of information includes logic totransmit a request for information to an external source of information.41. The system of claim 30 wherein the system includes logic to evaluateat least one of the user model structure and the archetype modelstructure and includes logic to generate an information request relatedthereto.
 42. The system of claim 39 wherein the logic to manage anexternal source of information includes logic to receive and processinformation from an external source of information.
 43. The system ofclaim 39 wherein the external source of information includes at leastone search engine.
 44. The system of claim 39 wherein the externalsource of information includes at least one third party agent.
 45. Thesystem of claim 39 wherein the external source of information includesat least one external data base.
 46. The system of claim 30 wherein theinterface logic includes logic to process a request for information froman external source related to at least one of the user model structureand the archetype structure.
 47. The system of claim 30 wherein theinterface logic includes logic to receive and process a transmittal froman external source and transmit said input to the corresponding logicportion of the system.
 48. The system of claim 30 wherein the interfacelogic includes logic to activate or otherwise request an action orresponse from an external resource, computer system or device.
 49. Thesystem of claim 30 wherein the interface logic includes logic to receiveand process results of an action or response by an external resource,computer system or device.
 50. The system of claim 48 wherein theexternal resource is a web service.
 51. The system of claim 48 whereinthe request is accomplished through the use of the SOAP protocol. 52.The system of claim 48 wherein the request for an action or response isgenerated from at least one interaction within the system.
 53. Thesystem of claim 30 wherein the interface logic includes logic totransmit output to at least one of an external resource, computer systemor device.
 54. The system of claim 53 wherein the output is informationrelated to at least one of the user model structure or the archetypemodel structure.
 55. The system of claim 30 further comprising at leastone computer readable medium in addition to the one or more processors.56. The system of claim 32 wherein the archetype model structure is adynamic structure that changes in response to the user structure. 57.The system of claim 32 wherein the archetype model structure isspecified in a set of rules specifying relationships among at least asubset of the problem structure, conclusion structure, and knowledgestructure.